Bears defensive tackle Akiem Hicks was a full participant in Saturday's practice and was removed from the injury report for Monday night's game against the Rams after sitting out workouts Thursday and Friday due to an illness unrelated to COVID-19.
Hicks has played a key role on a dominant Bears defense this season. The ninth-year NFL veteran leads all defensive linemen with 23 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits and six tackles-for-loss. Hicks is also one of the Bears' most highly-respected players and valuable team leaders.
"He's a big personality," said coach Matt Nagy. "He's very opinionated, which I like. He's a leader. He's somebody that when I need to get some advice or ask a question in regards to the pulse of the team and where we're at, he helps out. It's the same thing in regards to throughout the season, in-season and off-season. It's nice to have a lot of guys like that on your team. They're leaders. He's a vet, so he has that experience to be able to help me out with that."
In other injury news, outside linebacker Khalil Mack (back) and nickel back Buster Skrine (ankle) were limited in practice Saturday and listed as questionable on the injury report. On Friday, Nagy indicated that he wasn't concerned about Mack's back issue, describing it as soreness and calling the decision to hold Mack out of practice Friday as "more preventative than anything."
Left guard Rashaad Coward (finger), safety Deon Bush (hamstring) and offensive lineman Jason Spriggs (thumb/back) are also questionable. Coward and Bush practiced without restrictions Saturday, while Spriggs did not participate. Special teams standout Sherrick McManis (hamstring) has been ruled out of Monday night's game after being unable to practice all week.
| Player | Injury | Game status |
|---|
