Outside linebacker Khalil Mack and defensive lineman Akiem Hicks remained out of practice Thursday, a concerning development for two of the Bears’ best players. Mack played last week with an injured foot, during which he hurt his ribs. Hicks hurt his groin on the first play of the Lions game.
Four other players have not practiced this week: tight ends Jesse James (personal) and J.P. Holtz (quad), inside linebacker Joel Iyiebuniwe (hamstring) and running back David Montgomery (knee). Montgomery figures to miss the next few weeks with a sprain.
Receiver Darnell Mooney remained limited with a groin injury; the Bears have been cautious with Mooney’s injury all season long, but he’s yet to miss a game.
“Guys get hurt,” defensive coordinator Sean Desai said. “We’ve seen it through this first four weeks at various levels of our defense. And not just our defense — I’m sure defenses and offenses throughout the league. That’s part of the league. You gotta respond. Whoever’s up … they’re still expected to execute the defense at the level we want it to be executed at.”
