Daniel will start for Bears, who get Smith back

It came as no surprise when Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy on Wednesday announced Chase Daniel will start at quarterback in place of injured Mitchell Trubisky (shoulder) in London against the Oakland Raiders.

The unexpected announcement actually came from Bears linebacker Roquan Smith when he said he plans to play against the Raiders on Sunday.

Smith missed the Bears’ 16-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings for what Nagy had termed a “personal issue,” and on Monday his status had been uncertain.

“I will play this week,” Smith said with resolve.

The eighth overall pick in the 2018 draft, Smith had 24 tackles in the first three games but then was watching from the sideline against Minnesota with no explanation other than “personal issue” from Nagy or the Bears organization.

“Like coach said, it was a personal reason,” Smith said. “That’s behind us now. So (I’m) just focused on getting better this week and moving on to Oakland.”

No further explanation was given by Smith or Nagy for the absence.

Daniel makes his third start with the Bears. PATRIOTS PLACE KICKER ON INJURED RESERVE >> The Patriots have placed kicker Stephen Gostkowski on injured reserve. The team didn’t disclose the 35-yearold’s injury. The franchise’s all-time leading scorer, Gostkowski has appeared in every game for New England since 2011.

BENGALS PLACE ROSS ON IR >> The Bengals put receiver John Ross III on injured reserve, the latest blow to a winless team that’s already missing star receiver A.J. Green. Ross landed hard on his right shoulder during a 27-3 loss in Pittsburgh on Monday night. He’s eligible to return later in the season.

BROWNS LOSE LB KIRKSEY FOR SEASON >> Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle. A team captain, Kirksey was injured while playing against the New York Jets on Sept. 16. He was placed on injured reserve Sept. 21 and had the operation Wednesday. LONGTIME CARDINALS OWNER DIES >> William V. Bidwill, who owned the NFL’s Cardinals franchise in three cities, died Wednesday. He was 88. A cause of death wasn’t immediately given. The bowtie-wearing Bidwill headed a family operation that dated to 1932, when his father Charles purchased the Chicago Cardinals. Young Bidwill was a ballboy for the 1947 team that won the franchise’s lone championship.