LANDOVER, Md. — Bears safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was eager to play against his old team and wasted no time making it a triumphant return.
He ended the Redskins’ first drive by intercepting Case Keenum at Washington’s 37-yard line and taking it down the sideline for the first pick-six of his career.
Keenum sent one over wide receiver Trey Quinn, who was covered by Prince Amukamara, and it sailed right into Clinton-Dix’s arms. He made it to the end zone relatively unthreatened thanks to blocks by Roy Robertson-Harris and Eddie Jackson. It was the Bears’ first defensive touchdown this season, putting them up 7-0 with 9:42 left in the first quarter.
Clinton-Dix was five years into his run with the Packers before they dealt him to the Redskins last season. They were interested in bringing him back when he hit free agency this year, but he said he chose the Bears because he prioritized “winning ballgames and being a part of something special.”
Clinton-Dix has 15 career picks, but his longest return before Monday was a 27-yarder in his 2016 Pro Bowl season. That one came against Bears quarterback Matt Barkley.
Massie missing
With all the attention on whether the Bears would have kicker Eddy Pineiro for their game against the Redskins on Monday, the big surprise was right tackle Bobby Massie being a late scratch.
Massie’s absence was completely unexpected because he was not on the injury report, and a Bears spokesman said he was out with an illness. NFL Network reported that Massie was dealing with vertigo.
The Bears went with Cornelius Lucas III in his place, giving him the ninth start of his six-year career.
Massie had started 48 of 50 possible games since coming to the team in 2016 and he signed a four-year, $30.8 million extension this year.
Shared kicking duties
While Pineiro was healthy enough that the Bears opted against signing a free agent fill-in for the game, they lightened his workload by having punter Pat O’Donnell handle kickoffs.
O’Donnell kicked off at the University of Miami and had done it sparingly for the Bears. He is also their emergency field-goal kicker, but the team was confident Pineiro could gut it out for those.
Pineiro kicked four extra points in the first half and made them all easily, but had a noticeable hitch in his stride as he ran to the sideline afterward.
Pineiro popped up on the injury report Saturday after hurting his right, kicking knee in the weight room. He was limited in practice, and coach Matt Nagy was uncertain whether he’d be available.
Injury roundup
A few Bears listed as questionable were able to play. Jackson worked through shoulder and knee injuries, tight end Trey Burton made his second straight start and right guard Kyle Long started despite a hip issue.
