
Linebacker Khalil Mack practiced on a limited basis after not practicing Wednesday and Thursday because of a shoulder injury and is listed as questionable for the Bears’ game against the Houston Texans on Sunday at Soldier Field.
Mack is expected to play. He has been listed as questionable seven previous times this season and has yet to miss a game.
Nickel cornerback Buster Skrine (concussion) and reserve linebacker James Vaughters (knee) are out. Tight end J.P. Holtz (shoulder/knee) is questionable.
Rookie wide receiver Darnell Mooney did not practice again Friday because of a personal issue, but Nagy was optimistic Mooney would play.
For the Texans, running back David Johnson was put on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will not play. Back-up Duke Johnson, who started when Johnson missed three games with a concussion in Weeks 10-12, is expected to start against the Bears.
Akiem Hicks’ lament
Defensive end Akiem Hicks has gone through the football version of five stages of grief in dealing with the surprising collapse against the Lions last week.
“The first emotion is disbelief — you can’t believe you’ve been put in that situation,” Hicks said. “The next part is being a little pissed off about it — let it hurt; be frustrated, want better for yourself. Then you have to accept it … and do something to get yourself out of it.
“We’ve accepted the fact we haven’t played the type of defense we’re accustomed to and now it’s up to us to step up and show — not just the public, the fans, the media — but show ourselves that we can play the type of football we’re accustomed to.”
Next Man Up
Second-year cornerback Duke Shelley, a sixth-round draft pick in 2019, is a candidate to replace Skrine, with Sherrick McManis and DeAndre Houston-Carson.
[Shelly’s] arrow is up,” Nagy said. “It took him a little bit of time to learn the speed and learn the defense, but now he’s getting … more confidence in himself. And he gets to learn from one of the best nickels in the game [Skrine]. Is he gonna make mistakes? Sure. But he’s a ballhawk. He’s usually around the ball and he’s got good ball skills.”
Payton nominee Graham grateful
Tight end Jimmy Graham said being nominated for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award was particularly special as a Chicago Bear.
“The surprise of it was pretty incredible,” Graham said. “First finding out in front of the team, right next to the Walter Payton Center — knowing how near and dear that is to this city and this team and the NFL because of all that Walter Payton did for so many people.”
Graham, an aerobatic and helicopter pilot, was recognized for his work with The Jimmy Graham Foundation, which provides “impactful experiences through the freedom of flight” for underprivileged youth. But he is dedicated to other philanthropic ventures, including Ignite, an agency dedicated to serving homeless youths.
“It was kind of a surreal moment because I do a lot of private stuff,” Graham said. “I was always wondering why coach [Matt Nagy] kept asking me about all the things I had done in the offseason and that I’ve done these last few years.”