After a week of counting him in for their game against the Chiefs on Sunday, the Bears ruled out defensive tackle Akiem Hicks late Saturday.
Hicks came off short-term Injured Reserve last week and played against the Packers, but continued to struggle with his elbow. He played well despite multiple visits to the trainer.
“We want to continue to just keep going forward with him like we’ve been,” coach Matt Nagy said. “I don’t look at this as changing anything with that.
“We’ve gotta talk through all that and... [make] sure that we’re all on the same page, but I know Akiem’s gonna want to be out there and playing and helping out our defense as much as he can.”
He said he intended to play against the Chiefs, but was willing to discuss it with the team to determine what was best for both sides.
Sitting Hicks against the Chiefs likely signals the end of his season. The Bears’ final game is Dec. 29 at Minnesota.
He looked great when healthy, but injuries bothered him all season. Coming off a Pro Bowl selection in 2018, he has played just five games and has 10 tackles, five quarterback hits and one fumble recovery.
“I put myself on the line so many times [that] I wouldn’t flinch to do it again,” Hicks said Tuesday. “At a certain point you have to be smart. That’s what the building’s for. That’s what the personnel department is for. That’s what our GM, our coaches are for, to make the decisions that are best for the team and the players.
“It’s very much so my body, [but] let’s just say the Bears have it on lease.”
