It seems crazy, but someone would have to be at least a little crazy to play football in the first place. So while the rest of the world wonders why Bears defensive tackle Akiem Hicks would keep playing through incredible pain in his left elbow now that his team is eliminated from playoff contention, the choice to suit up for the final two games makes perfect sense to him.
“It’s about the boys, man,” Hicks said this morning. “It’s about being out there with your guys. I love competition. I love competition. I love riding with my guys.
“You would laugh to imagine some of the things that guys play through in this league. There isn’t a week that I can remember where my body felt 100 percent. It’s kind of customary. You’re used to playing through injury.”
Hicks dislocated his elbow in early October and went on short-term injured reserve with the hope of coming back for the stretch run and possibly the playoffs.
He was clearly in pain throughout the 21-13 loss to the Packers on Sunday and admitted it afterward, but played well. He looked reasonably close to his usual self and finished with four tackles and two quarterback hits.
His elbow does not seem to be fully healed, but Hicks said, “I’m healed to the extent where I felt comfortable going out and playing for my team this past weekend.”
As much as he’d like to keep playing, Hicks acknowledged that being out of the playoff race “changes perspective” and he is willing to collaborate with the team to figure out the best decision for both sides. The choice is whether to play Sunday against the Chiefs and next week at Minnesota, or end his season by going back to IR.
“There’s no decisions made,” he said. “I’m brought here to play football, so when my number is called, that’s what I do. What comes after that, we don’t know. We’ll see going forward.”
Bears coach Matt Nagy indicated Monday that Hicks intended to keep playing and the team was on board with that. Nagy said being out of the playoffs isn’t “changing anything with” his status.
They could leave the decision up to Hicks, something he certainly has earned at this point in his career, but he’s open to discussing it.
“It’s very much so my body, [but] let’s just say the Bears have it on lease,” he said. “So when it’s time for me to play, that’s what I’m going to do.”
