The Chicago Bears defense will be needed in the worst way if this team has any hope of upsetting the Green Bay Packers Sunday night. Beating that team is impossible without holding Aaron Rodgers in check. Especially when your own offense is a disaster area. So one can imagine coaches haven’t been thrilled with the recent updates regarding Akiem Hicks.
The big defensive end exited the loss against Minnesota last week with a hamstring injury. It was hoped that the extended time off might give it a chance to heal provided it wasn’t too serious. By the look of things, it hasn’t helped. Hicks missed practice on Wednesday and now Thursday as well. It’s looking more and more like a long shot he’ll be able to go, delivering another brutal loss to the Bears’ defensive front right when they can least afford it.
Matt Nagy remains hopeful he might be able to go.
While the pass rush will be a big loss if Hicks can’t go, it might even be worse for the run defense. Eddie Goldman being out forced him to shoulder more of the load there. After he went down last week, the Vikings had a far easier time running the ball. With Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams looming this weekend? It’s not looking great.
Rodgers is dangerous enough by himself. He’s even more so off play action. This merely reinforces how badly the Bears will need the offense to step up. Something it hasn’t done most of this season. Nick Foles remains on the shelf with a hip injury. That means Mitch Trubisky will likely get the start.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Behind an offensive line that could be missing both starting tackles too. Charles Leno Jr. landed on the injury report with a toe problem. So there’s that.
Happy Thanksgiving! #Bears Thursday Injury Report pic.twitter.com/whaEE98Uc0
— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) November 26, 2020
Akiem Hicks (hamstring) hasn't practiced this week and he's still day-to-day.
Nagy: "I'm keeping my fingers crossed … I really hope (he plays)."
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) November 26, 2020
Akiem Hicks is the beating heart of this team
His energy, leadership, and passion have managed to hold this defense together thus far. With him out, it’s difficult to know for sure how they’ll perform. It didn’t always go so well last season when he missed a lot of time with an elbow injury. Can Bilal Nichols, Roy Robertson-Harris, and Mario Edwards Jr. pick up the slack? It’s asking a lot against a pretty solid Packers offensive line.
Then again Green Bay is dealing with question marks of their own. Center Corey Linsley is out with an injury. Star wide receiver Davante Adams is dealing with a nagging ankle problem. It isn’t like this team is unbeatable. They’ve looked vulnerable quite a few times this season. They almost coughed up a game to the one-win Jaguars a couple of weeks ago. There is no telling which Packers team will show up.
Given the Bears’ luck? One can guess.
It feels like the only way they get a win is via the 2015 Thanksgiving scenario. The defense plays a great 60-minute game, limits the big plays, and gets a couple of turnovers. Offensively they manage to control the ball and score two touchdowns. Having Akiem Hicks would make at least half of that possible.