Following back-to-back Thursday games, the Bears had a long weekend to rest up before preparing for a divisional matchup against the Packers this Sunday.
While the Bears avoided the injury bug last season, they’ve been unable to escape it in 2019. They’ve lost three defensive starters to injury throughout the season: Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (elbow), linebacker Danny Trevathan (elbow) and linebacker Roquan Smith (pec).
And there have been countless other injuries, including the loss of right guard Kyle Long, defensive back/special teams ace Sherrick McManis and both tight ends Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen.
But there appears to be some good news on the horizon, starting this week in preparation for Green Bay. Hicks is eligible to return from injured reserve this week against the Packers. He practiced last week with the team, and Bears coach Matt Nagy said that, win or lose against the Cowboys, Hicks would return if he could.
Many have wondered why Trevathan, who suffered a gruesome elbow injury against the Lions in Week 10, hasn’t been placed on injured reserve. That’s because Nagy has left the door open for his return this season. In fact, Nagy wouldn’t rule out Trevathan’s return against Green Bay.
While Roquan Smith’s season appears done, as he suffered what’s believed to be a torn pec against Dallas, there were two other players injured against the Cowboys that have some extra time to rest up for next Sunday. Defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris suffered a foot injury, and wide receiver Javon Wims suffered what Ian Rapoport reported is a slight knee sprain, which he sustained near the end of the first half.
With the Bears having 10 days to prepare for the Packers, it’s also allowing some players that have been banged up — or looking to return to the lineup — some extra time to rest up.
