The Chicago Bears injury situation for Sunday took some weird turns over the course of the week. At first, it looked like they could be down several key players against the New England Patriots. Then there was hope. Then there was none. Now there’s hope again. Quite the roller coaster ahead of what might be the most important game of the season.
The Bears are 3-2 after a rough loss to the Dolphins last week. Now they face a surging Patriots team that’s won three straight and beat that Dolphins team 38-7 a few weeks ago. So one can understand why people are understandably nervous. It’s Tom Brady. It’s Bill Belichick. This team is hard to beat, on the road or at home.
So the injury news can be crucial for something like this. How are Bears situated going into the weekend, and is their opponent any better off?
Khalil Mack and Allen Robinson returned to practice
There was a bit of a panic when both Mack and Robinson missed practice on Thursday, leading some to wonder if either could be available for the Patriots game. Mack has dealt with an ankle injury suffered in Miami while Robinson tweaked his groin at some point this week during practice.
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That’s why it was welcome to hear both had returned to Friday’s practice, even if it was on a limited basis. Both were declared questionable to play. However, Adam Schefter relayed to Boston-area radio that Mack is likely to play. Robinson is a bit more of a mystery but odds are the Bears are merely being cautious in order to keep him healthy enough to go.
Bears list OLB Khalil Mack (right ankle & WR Allen Robinson (groin) as questionable after returning to practice Fri in a limited capacity.
CB Prince Amukamara (hamstring) will play Sun after fully participating Fri.
CB Bryce Callahan (ankle) DNP Fri, is questionable for Sun
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) October 19, 2018
Bryce Callahan missed practice
This is the most recent injury to pop up on the report, and the timing is not good. Bryce Callahan has always been a bit unreliable from a health standpoint but to hear he missed practice on Friday with an ankle issue is not welcome. For one it’s because he’s playing well this year but also because he plays a pivotal role in the New England game.
The Patriots offense gets a ton of its success from slot receiver Julian Edelman, recently returned from suspension. The task of covering him is Callahan’s, and he’s been good all year with QBs having a 74.0 passer rating when throwing his direction. However, if he can’t go it exposes a potential major weakness in the secondary.
Prince Amukamara practices in full
On the flip side, it’s welcome news to hear that Prince Amukamara’s hamstring issue which knocked him out of the Miami game late doesn’t seem serious. He practiced in full on Friday and is expected to play against the Patriots. He’s been excellent when on the field this year, allowing just nine catches on 18 targets.
He’ll likely have the task of covering new Patriots big-play threat Josh Gordon, something that can never be considered easy. Hopefully he can go the entire game because they’ll need him.
Patriots rule out starting right tackle Marcus Cannon for Sunday, which was expected. Rob Gronkowski is among 10 questionable, as he is listed with both ankle and back injuries. pic.twitter.com/hVs7oxIb9T
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 19, 2018
Marcus Cannon unlikely to play
A lot of Patriot players are nicked up and questionable for the game but thus far only one is officially out, and it’s a big one. Right tackle Marcus Cannon has been their best offensive lineman to this point, allowing just 13 pressures on Brady with no sacks. He suffered a concussion last week against Kansas City.
In his place, the Patriots will start veteran LaAdrian Waddle. While not a turnstile as some backups can be, he’s not an ideal choice to go against Mack. The last time they met in 2017, Mack beat him three times and hit Brady twice before Waddle left with an injury. This time Mack is playing with a far better defense around him.
