Nagy optimistic Floyd will be ready for Pack
The Bears remained hopeful that tight end Adam Shaheen would be ready for the regularseason opener against the Packers after he suffered a severelooking right ankle injury in the preseason game Saturday night against the Broncos in Denver.
Coach Matt Nagy called the injury a sprained ankle. Shaheen was undergoing tests at the same time Nagy was speaking to the media Monday at Halas Hall. Nagy was hoping to get test results later Monday.
“We’re not sure yet exactly [if he’ll be ready for Week 1],’’ Nagy said. ‘‘We’re hoping.’’
Elsewhere on the injury front, defensive end Akiem Hicks is day-to-day with knee soreness. Hicks didn’t play against the Broncos, which Nagy said was a precautionary measure.
“Just a nag,” Nagy said. “We’ll keep an eye on it and stay precautionary with it.”
Wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (foot) and cornerback Prince Amukamara (groin) also did not play against Denver.
“We feel very confident about them being ready for Week 1,” Nagy said.
Hall suspended
Safety Deiondre’ Hall was suspended for the regular-season opener for violating the NFL’s policy on substance abuse, the Bears announced. Hall, a fourthround pick in 2016, will be able to practice and play in the last two preseason games but will be suspended the week of the season opener. Hall’s roster spot already is precarious, with Deon Bush and DeAndre Houston-Carson having strong preseasons.
Vernon Hills Bears
The Bears will practice Wednesday night at Vernon Hills High School. It’s their third consecutive season conducting a practice in front of fans at a local high school. They held a practice at Warren in 2016 and at Prospect last year.
“It’s good for the community, and it’s good for the players to just get them out there and change it up a little bit,” Nagy said. “It’ll be good for all of us.”
The boxer
Defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris, who has 3½ sacks after getting 1½ against the Broncos, credited workouts with former Falcons defensive end Chuck Smith, strength training and boxing workouts for his improved pass rush.
Boxing?
“To help my hand speed,” said Robertson-Harris, who had two sacks in 12 games on defense last season.
The extra work seems to be paying off. Robertson-Harris is battling 2016 third-round pick Jonathan Bullard for the starting defensive end spot opposite Hicks.
“I definitely feel more comfortable than I did a year ago,” said Robertson-Harris, who did not play during his rookie season (2016) because of an illness. “I played a whole year in this defense, so I know what I’m doing. Just working on technique stuff to be in the best position to make plays.”