The Chicago Bears are hoping that defensive lineman Akiem Hicks will make his grand return Sunday against their rivals Green Bay Packers. But the Packers are fully expecting it.
“We’re anticipating him playing,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday. “He’s just a guy that you have to account for on every play. He’s a dominant performer and he has been for a while. Just have to be mindful of where he’s at every time he’s out on the field.”
Hicks has been on injured reserve since Week 5 after dislocating his elbow against the Oakland Raiders. He returned to practice last Sunday, and if all goes well he should be activated off IR.
Bears coach Matt Nagy said Hicks participated in practice Wednesday, although it’s worth noting that Wednesday practices are typically walk-through pace. Still, Nagy sounds optimistic that Hicks will return from IR.
“I think we have a good idea,” Nagy said. “None of this is live, again. None of practice is live … Most of it is just communication with him saying, ‘Hey, this is how I feel,’ Trainers saying, ‘This is where he’s at,’ and then creating a plan if it’s something where, if it’s something we’re going to do — which we’re hoping —— then let’s create a plan for it and roll.”
Hicks’ return would surely solidify the middle of that defense. But it would mean so much more than just what he brings to the field physically. He’s one of the leaders of this team.
“I think it’s big, just because he’s one of our more vocal guys — in a good way,” Nagy said. “He’s a leader — he’s a natural-born leader. Take the play out and what he does on the field — just rallying the guys this week in practice, being around and then on game day, you guys always see him out there. He’s a guy that gets everyone going.”
The Bears would greatly benefit from Hicks’ return as they look for redemption against their rivals following that Sept. 5 season-opening loss.
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