Corner back: Prince says he’s good to go
The Week 5 bye generally is too early for an NFL team. But for cornerback Prince Amukamara, it came at the right time.
Amukamara, who missed the Bears’ 48-10 rout of the Buccaneers on Sept. 30 with a hamstring injury, had full participation in practice Friday and is expected to play against the Dolphins on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
To miss only one game with a hamstring injury is fortunate. But Amukamara suffered the injury against the Cardinals on Sept. 23, so he has had three weeks to recover. Hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky, but Amukamara feels confident that he’s ready to go.
“I just told [the trainers] I needed to do a few more things on the field and be in some certain situations in order to know,” Amukamara said. “I did that throughout the week, and I gave them the green light.”
Miller time
Rookie wide receiver Anthony Miller, who dislocated his left shoulder against the Cardinals, also practiced fully and is expected to play against Miami, albeit with a harness on his shoulder.
“The [bye week] really helped me out,” said Miller, who has eight catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. “I got a lot of rest in, and I also did some rehab, so I’m feeling pretty strong out there. They’re just easing me back into the groove of things.”
Miller can’t wait to join an offense that looks like it’s starting to roll after Mitch Trubisky threw six touchdown passes against the Buccaneers.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “We’ve been waiting on our offense to click. Our chemistry is getting better and better every week. To see guys ‘eat’ like that, just to watch it, was amazing. I’m just glad I can be a part of it this week.”
In typical Miller fashion, he said he’s not concerned about reinjuring his shoulder.
“It could happen again,” he said. “But I’m playing.”
Shaheen’s holding pattern
Tight end Adam Shaheen, who’s on injured reserve with ankle and foot injuries, is eligible to return to practice Monday after missing six weeks, but probably will not, coach Matt Nagy said.
Nagy said he feels good about Shaheen returning this season but is waiting for the go-ahead from trainer Andre Tucker.
Toliver ready
Undrafted rookie cornerback Kevin Toliver figures to return to an emergency-only role with Amukamara back. But Nagy didn’t rule out Toliver getting some playing time based on how he played in place of Amukamara against the Buccaneers.
“It was a great opportunity for Kevin to play and to continue playing for us,” Nagy said. “And who knows? It could end up where he plays a lot more. We don’t know that. More than anything, what I take away from it is it just made Kevin Toliver better.”