Injuries have haunted the Chicago Bears all season. Most of them have been of the soft tissue variety, making them all the more infuriating. However, it appears the time of the year may have decided to get in on the “fun.” Recent reports indicated a bout of flu might be going through the Bears locker room. Four players were listed on the injury report this week with an illness designation. Unfortunately, the mini-pandemic struck again at the worst possible time. The Bears revealed that Darnell Wright, their stud right tackle, as added to the injury report on Saturday.
His designation is also an illness. He will not travel with the team to San Francisco today. As of now, he is questionable for the game on Sunday night. Based on how this is unfolding, there is a strong probability Wright won’t play in this game. If so, it’s a brutal blow for the Bears’ offensive line. Wright has been arguably their best player for most of the season. If he can’t go, backup Theo Benedet is likely to step into the starting role. Thankfully, he has some playing experience this season and should still help their rushing attack.
Darnell Wright will have a tough next several hours.
Not only must he rest and try to recover from his illness, but he will eventually have to make a difficult decision. Either he chooses to sit out the game and rest, risking the offense struggling, or he flies cross-country and plays a game on the west coast on the same day. Neither option is ideal. Knowing Darnell Wright and his toughness, there is a strong possibility that he will push to play. It may come down to whether the Bears’ medical staff believes he is recovered enough to take the risk. Typically, they’ve aired on the side of caution.
Head coach Ben Johnson won’t think much about it. He’s had to navigate injuries all season. This will be no different in his mind. The Bears didn’t have Rome Odunze or Luther Burden last week and still found a way to beat Green Bay. San Francisco is another brutally difficult task, but Johnson isn’t one to make excuses. Take the players you have and go win the game. If Darnell Wright can play, they will welcome him. If not, they will be glad to have him back next week.
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