ROBINSON CLEARED TO RETURN
After missing three games with a hamstring injury, Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson will play against the Packers on Sunday night at Lambeau Field.
Robinson practiced in full Friday and was cleared to play after being limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday. He hasn’t played in a game since Nov. 8 against the Steelers, when he hurt his hamstring on a 39-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
Defensive end Akiem Hicks, who missed the last three games with an ankle injury, was listed as questionable but expects to play.
Running back David Montgomery (shoulder, groin and gluteus), outside linebacker Trevis Gipson (illness), kicker Cairo Santos
(illness), backup linebacker Christian Jones (back), cornerback Teez Tabor (illness) and defensive lineman Angelo Blackson (knee) all are good to go after being on the injury list this week. Defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (ribs) is questionable. Receiver Marquise Goodwin
(foot) and backup quarterback Andy Dalton
(non-throwing hand) are doubtful.
Although Dalton played through the hand injury, which he suffered last Sunday while making a tackle after an interception in the first quarter against the Cardinals, he’s not expected to be active. Nick Foles would be the backup to Justin Fields.
MARSH OUT, IRVIN IN
Linebacker Cassius Marsh was put on injured reserve Friday with a knee injury. Bruce Irvin was promoted from the practice squad to replace Marsh, who had one sack and six tackles in four games with the Bears.
COHEN UPDATE
With just four games left in the regular season after Sunday, Bears coach Matt Nagy said the chance of running back Tarik Cohen returning is “minimal,” but he wasn’t ready to rule Cohen out for the season. Cohen has been out since Sept. 27, 2020, when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a win against the Falcons.
Cohen has been an animated non-participant at practice in recent weeks but doesn’t appear close to returning. Nagy wouldn’t say if there was a complication that has extended Cohen’s rehabilitation.
“Every situation is different, but I don’t even go there,” Nagy said. “I know what I see. He’s trying to get back as soon as he can.
That’s all he can do. We love Tarik to death. He’s awesome. And he’s great in our room. When they tell us he’s ready to go, we’ll be ready to go with him.”
SNAP DECISIONS ON GOLDMAN
Nose tackle Eddie Goldman played just 14 of 53 defensive snaps (26%) against the Cardinals — the fewest snaps and lowest percentage of his six-year career when he wasn’t injured. He played 22 of 49 snaps (45%) against the Lions on Thanksgiving and 25 of 81 snaps (31%) against the Ravens in Week 12.
Defensive coordinator Sean Desai said Goldman’s light duty was a function of the Bears’ rotation and the Bears playing more nickel than base against the Cardinals.
Rookie nose tackle Khyiris Tonga played 17 snaps against the Cardinals. Is Tonga as effective as Goldman now?
“Based on the situation, he can be, and he has been,” Desai said. “But it’s easy to go after the game and say, ‘Well, this guy should have been in there.’ And a team like [the Cardinals] doesn’t really let you substitute. You’ve got to account for that when you look at the reps and who’s getting into the game.”