HEADING OUT WITHOUT HICKS?
Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, who hurt his groin on the first play against the Lions last Sunday, was limited in practice Friday and is doubtful to play against the Raiders in Las Vegas.
Bears coach Matt Nagy said he doesn’t believe Hicks will need to go on injured reserve, which would rule him out for the next three games. But the Bears could leave Hicks at home Saturday.
He missed most of the Bears’ last game against the Raiders, too, dislocating his elbow on the first drive in 2019.
“He’s a tough guy that means so much to this defense,” Nagy said. “Our guys know it, and we appreciate that about him. I think, you know . . . coming into this season, that was one of our strengths, was the depth of the defensive line. So being able to head into any of these games when you don’t have him . . . we rely on that.”
Earlier this week, rookie nose tackle Khyiris Tonga said Hicks amazes him.
“Physicality, his mental state — he’s just different,” Tonga said. “He’s just very on point with his keys, and he’s very smart. He knows what he’s talking about. He knows just looking at the formation . . . . So it’s just been fun to watch Akiem play and still just be dominant.”
Williams up
When the Bears signed running back Damien Williams during the offseason, they explained the complementary role they wanted him to play behind David Montgomery. But they knew he could also carry the load himself if needed. With the Chiefs, he scored six touchdowns in the 2019 playoffs and became the first player to run for 100 yards and catch a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl.
“When you go back and you say, ‘OK, big-time moments,’ he played on a big-time stage and made some big-time plays,” Nagy said. “So I think the players know that, the coaches know that, so there’s a sense of calm knowing that in this type of situation, he can step in.”
The Bears are expected to put Montgomery (sprained knee) on injured reserve Saturday. He’d then miss at least three games.
Williams will start Sunday. Nagy insinuated that rookie Khalil Herbert could get between six and 10 carries behind him.
“[Herbert’s] a smart football player that makes a lot of plays,” Nagy said. “He’s also a physical running back, too . . . . I think he’s patient.”
This and that
Safety Tashaun Gipson (hamstring) and tight end Jesper Horsted (knee) are questionable but expected to play. Gipson has missed the last two starts since getting hurt leading up to the Browns game. Linebacker Christian Jones is questionable after being limited with a back problem Friday.
† One week after playing a combined 20 snaps, blocking tight ends Jesse James (personal) and J.P. Holtz (quad) were both ruled out for Sunday. Inside linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (hamstring) won’t play, either.
† This will be the Bears’ first game in Las Vegas. Nagy said he hasn’t warned players about avoiding the temptations of Sin City.
“That’s why, also, we have that curfew,” he said.