D-LINE MAY NEED TO HANG WITHOUT HICKS
When the Bears played the Packers at Lambeau Field in Week 15 last season, defensive end Akiem Hicks gamely gave it a go after missing nearly nine games with a nasty elbow injury. And he was still a force, with four tackles and two quarterback hits that helped keep the Bears close in a 21-13 loss. Just his effort was inspiring.
The Bears might have to lean on his grit again if they have him at all against the Packers on Sunday night at Lambeau. Hicks didn’t practice Friday — or this week at all as he recovers from a hamstring injury he suffered against the Vikings before the bye. He’s listed as questionable. Coach Matt Nagy said his availability will be a game-time decision.
With Roy Robertson-Harris (shoulder) also out, Bilal Nichols, Brent Urban, John Jenkins, Daniel McCullers and Mario Edwards Jr. have given the Bears’ solid rotational depth on the defensive line. But there is no true replacement forHicks, one of themost consistently impactful linemen in the NFL.
“Akiem’s an amazing player,” Urban said. “He always makes a huge impact every time he’s in there. But like a lot of teams have been doing this year, it’s next man up with COVID and everything. Good teams have to win without their big players at times.
“It’s obviously a huge challenge [Packers quarterback] Aaron Rodgers extends plays very well. You need to get pressure, you need to get interior push against him, so without
Akiem, it’ll be tough, but I think we’re a deep group, and we pride ourselves on playing good, next-man-up football.”
Jackson is back
Safety Eddie Jackson was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday and will play against the Packers. He didn’t test positive for the coronavirus but was put on the list because he had been in close contact with someone who had tested positive.
Leno IFFY; SPRIGGS ON STANDBY
Left tackle Charles Leno, who has started 88 consecutive games since replacing Jermon Bushrod in Week 4 of the 2015 season, didn’t practice after suffering a toe injury in practice Wednesday and is questionable.
Veteran Jason Spriggs, who started nine games in three seasons with the Packers in 2016-18, will replace Leno against his former teammates if Leno can’t play. Spriggs previously replaced an injured Bobby Massie against the Saints on Nov. 1 and played 65 snaps but injured his knee in that game and missed the next two games.
“Spriggs is doing a good job,” Nagy said. “Most of the season, we put him at right tackle, and he was a little banged up and he didn’t do aswell on the right side. I think he’s more comfortable on the left side.”
Quarterback Nick Foles (hip) is doubtful for Sunday. Slot cornerback Buster Skrine (ankle), backup guard/tackle Rashaad Coward (ankle/knee) and special-teams ace SherrickMcManis (hand) are questionable.