Rookie Smith limited in practice
Rookie linebacker Roquan Smith participated on a limited basis in practice Wednesday night at Vernon Hills High School as the Bears continue to be “precautionary” with the left-hamstring tightness he suffered in practice Tuesday.
Smith participated in warmups and position drills that opened the practice but spent the rest of the night — including the seven-on-seven and team portions — on the sideline. Smith has had three full practices since ending a 29-day contract holdout Aug. 13.
“Pretty much the same thing, just precautionary,” coach Matt Nagy said. “[Not] better or worse. We just don’t want to be dumb. We want to be smart.”
Smith’s inactivity makes it less likely that he’ll make his anticipated debut against the Chiefs in a preseason game Saturday at noon at Soldier Field.
“Probably, just because he’s not out here running around 100 percent,” Nagy said. “That’s probably a fair statement.”
Houston-Carson out
As it turns out, safety DeAndre Houston-Carson broke his right forearm in the preseason game against the Broncos last Saturday.
“He continued to play a little bit [after suffering the injury], which shows his toughness,” Nagy said.
Injury list
Defensive end Akiem Hicks did not practice because of knee soreness. Hicks did not play against the Broncos when the knee issue flared up and has not practiced since.
The Bears are continuing to seek additional medical opinions on Adam Shaheen’s sprained ankle and sprained foot, Nagy said.
Guard Kyle Long was rested. Also not practicing were cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (precautionary), Marcus Cooper (undisclosed) and Rashard Fant (undisclosed), outside linebackers Aaron Lynch (hamstring) and Leonard Floyd (broken hand), linebacker Josh Woods (finger), tight end Dion Sims (concussion), wide receiver Tanner Gentry (undisclosed) and guard Brandon Greene (undisclosed).
Gabriel back
Wide receiver Taylor Gabriel returned to practice on a limited basis. He has been out with a foot injury since Aug. 5.
“We’re coming back in increments with him,” Nagy said. “His biggest thing is just the pain of what he’s going through, and it’s been getting better and better each day. As long as we keep that controlled, I think you saw out there today he’s such a quick player. He’s smart, he’s a veteran — there’s a calmness when he gets in the huddle. So it’s nice to have him back out there.”
The best of times
Practicing at Vernon Hills brought back fond memories for Nagy — just 10 years ago, he was the offensive coordinator at Palmyra (Pennsylvania) High School.
“How crazy is that?” Nagy said. “You do sometimes remind yourself of how things go and how quickly it can happen. Coming from Pennsylvania, I’ve always been a high school football guy.
. . . It’s good memories. You have a smile on your face.”