As the Bears prepared to start their week of practice leading up to the Saints game, Matt Nagy provided an update on Akiem Hicks, a former Saints player who turned into a Pro Bowl defensive end with the Bears.
Hicks hurt his left elbow last week against the Raiders when his arm got trapped between teammate Khalil Mack and ball-carrier Josh Jacobs. He was in a lot of pain — the elbow seemed to either hyperextend or pop out of socket.
The Bears remain optimistic he’ll play again this year, coach Matt Nagy said in his weekly WBBM-AM radio spot.
“It was pretty good injury that he got there. …” Nagy said. “We’re hoping that he’s definitely able to return here by the season’s end.”
The Bears struggled to defend the run game in Hicks’ absence, allowing Jacobs to run 26 times for 123 yards in the 24-21 loss.
Nagy said that quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who has an injured left shoulder, spent the bye week working out at Halas Hall. He was non-committal about his chances to play Sunday.
“He was in here working out. every day he’s trying to get this thing stronger and stronger,” Nagy said. “That will be the big question for us.”
