UPDATE:
Adam Schefter of ESPN appeared on ESPN 1000 on Monday and revealed that Smith’s behavior was reportedly erratic all week leading up to the game. He wasn’t acting like himself. So for his own safety, the Bears decided to make him inactive. As for the rumored car incident, they are not true.
Further details aren’t available as yet. The Bears will address the media at some point in the near future.
One of the big mysteries going into the Chicago Bears game against the Minnesota Vikings was Roquan Smith going from practicing all week to not playing in the game at all. The only thing provided by the team was “personal reasons.” Something head coach Matt Nagy stuck to after the game despite repeated prodding from reporters. Recent updates though may have an explanation for why the linebacker wasn’t playing.
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He might’ve been in a car accident.
Recent photos surfaced from a collision on Saturday night involving two vehicles. One of them reportedly belongs to Smith as seen in the photo below. It’s unclear whether alcohol was involved or if the linebacker left the scene like Lance Briggs did several years ago, but it would offer an explanation to this entire situation. The Bears likely held him out of the game as punishment for his reckless behavior on the night before a big game.
Nothing is crystal clear on Roquan Smith just yet
It must be stressed that the details of this entire situation are scarce. Odds are they won’t come to light until later in the week. Initially, the theory was that Smith may have had a death in the family or some other emergency. The fact he showed up at the game, however, began to lead theories elsewhere. Being in a car accident, of which he was at fault, would certainly draw the anger of a coaching staff who expects more from him as one of their top players.
Reports have offered nothing on whether people were hurt. This is a good sign, otherwise the Smith situation would’ve been far worse. Odds are he was punished for this week and will be back in action for the Bears as they make the trip to London against the Oakland Raiders. Much of this is yet to be determined though.
