Robert Quinn, the outside linebacker the Bears signed to a five-year, $70 million contract this offseason, did not practice Wednesday, calling into question whether he’ll play in the team’s season opener.
Quinn has an ankle injury. Neither he nor the Bears had disclosed it up until Wednesday.
Quinn didn’t practice much in training camp and was, rather, stuck in a ramp-up period the Bears said was a result of a personal issue. He practiced fully in team drills only once — the scrimmage at Soldier Field. Afterward, he declined to describe the personal issue, but said he was ready for the opener.
He was not present for most of last week’s practices.
Outside linebacker Khalil Mack, whom the Bears will hope benefits from the Quinn addition, was limited in practice with a knee injury. His presence Sunday is essential to the Bears’ defense.
General manager Ryan Pace on Monday said Quinn knows what it takes to be ready to play.
“Obviously he’s one of our more experienced players,” Pace said then. “The best thing he does is get after the quarterback and rush the passer, so it’s not like you know there’s a ton of Xs and Os necessarily with some of that — just get off the ball and get the corner. But we feel good about where he is, from knowing our defense, even if he has had a little bit of a short training camp.”
Bears coach Matt Nagy did not address Quinn’s status in his press conference before practice began. He’ll speak again Thursday.
Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson and swing tackle Jason Spriggs were limited with knee injuries. Receiver Javon Wims has an Achilles’ tendon problem, and was also limited.
