Fields sits out; Hicks to COVID list
Bears quarterback Justin Fields did not practice Thursday after being limited in Wednesday’s practice — an apparent step back in his recovery from an ankle injury he suffered against the Vikings that puts his status for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks further in doubt.
Andy Dalton returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday and practiced in full. Defensive end Akiem Hicks was put on the reserve/COVID-19 list, putting his status for Sunday’s game in doubt. With Dalton and defensive end Mario Edwards being activated Thursday, the Bears have 10 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including wide receiver Allen Robinson, cornerback Jaylon Johnson, safety Tashaun Gipson and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols.
Left tackle Jason Peters (high ankle sprain), wide receiver/kick returner Jakeem Grant (concussion) and cornerback Xavier Crawford (concussion) did not practice. Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (foot), who was limited Wednesday, had full participation.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson also is nursing a bum ankle, but had full participation in practice Thursday and is expected to start against the Bears.
Wilson “got smashed up a little bit” on a sack against the Rams on Tuesday night. But on a short week, the injury could be a factor.
Lazor, Tabor return Bill
Offensive coordinator
Lazor and special-teams coordinator Chris Tabor were cleared from coronavirus protocol to return to Halas Hall this week. Both did not work the Vikings game on Monday night.
“It was tough,” Tabor said.
“Sometimes it’s tough [watching on television] because of the camera shots that they put. The kick return that Herbs [Khalil Herbert] knocks out to the 30 — it’s kind of on top there, so you can’t really see what’s taking place.
“That makes it hard, but I thought coach [Brian] Ginn did a great job. Those guys that had to step up and got opportunities to play for the first time did a nice job, so I was really fired up for those guys. And, obviously, it’s not an experience that I want to go through again.”
A low blow
Cornerback Teez Tabor was called for a low -block penalty when he cut in front of Vikings tackle Brian O’Neill while tackling running back Dalvin Cook in the third quarter. It turned a fourthand-13 at the Vikings’ 20 into a first-and-10 at the Vikings 35. So instead of punting, the Vikings completed a 12-play, 77-yard touchdown drive for a 17-3 lead.
It appeared that Tabor was penalized for playing football. He wasn’t blocking, he was tackling.
“I thought he did a tremendous job of taking a shot and making a tackle,” defensive coordinator Sean Desai said.
“He avoided the O-lineman and didn’t hit him low. I understand the safety part of it — I’m all for the player-safety part of it. But he didn’t hit him. So I’ve got to do a better job of maybe taking his target-point a little bit higher as he goes and takes his shot.”