Bears place DT Akiem Hicks on injured reserve

The Chicago Bears are losing a valuable member of their defensive front for the foreseeable future.

Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks has been placed on injured reserve.

#Bears roster moves:
We have placed DT Akiem Hicks on IR.
We also have signed OL Alex Bars from the practice squad to the active roster and have signed LB Fadol Brown to the practice squad.

— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) October 15, 2019

Hicks, who suffered a knee injury against the Washington Redskins in Week 3, suffered a separate injury early on against the Oakland Raiders in Week 5.

Bears coach Matt Nagy remained optimistic that Hicks would return this season, which is still likely. If Hicks were to return from injured reserve — each team can bring back two players from IR — he would be eligible for the Bears’ final three games of the season, starting Dec. 15 against the Green Bay Packers. He would be allowed to return to practice two weeks prior.

Hicks hadn’t missed a game as a Bear before he sat out Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Bears also promoted offensive lineman Alex Bars to the active roster from the practice squad.