Bears receiver Taylor Gabriel (concussion) and defensive end Bilal Nichols (hand) have been ruled out of Sunday's NFC North clash against the Vikings, while right guard Kyle Long (hip) and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (knee) are expected to be game-time decisions.
All four of the players sat out Friday's practice at Halas Hall. Long also missed Thursday's workout after being a full participant Wednesday. Coach Matt Nagy told reporters that Long suffered a slight setback during the week, putting his status up in the air for Sunday's game.
"We're just trying to see exactly where he's at for the weekend," Nagy said.
The Bears could really use Hicks in the lineup against a Vikings offense that boasts the NFL's leading rusher in running back Dalvin Cook. But that doesn't mean the Pro Bowl defensive tackle will play if he's not healthy.
"For us, it's never going to change in how we handle that," Nagy said.
Tight end Trey Burton (groin) and kicker Eddy Piñeiro (knee) both are expected to play against the Vikings despite being limited in practice Friday and being listed as questionable. Burton was limited because the Bears practiced on the artificial turf surface in the Walter Payton Center.
Piñeiro kicked Friday in practice for the first time this week. After hurting his knee in the weight room last Friday, Piñeiro made 1-of-2 field goals and 4-of-4 extra points while limping noticeably Monday night in a 31-15 win over the Redskins in Washington.
"If he played and kicked field goals, he should be good for this week too," Nagy said. "That's the way I look at it."
Gabriel was injured against the Redskins after becoming just the fourth player in Bears history and first since Gale Sayers in 1965 to score three touchdowns in one quarter. The veteran receiver caught TD passes of 3, 1 and 36 yards from Mitchell Trubisky in the second period.
Nichols will miss his second straight game after breaking his hand in a Week 2 road win over the Broncos.
For information on the Vikings Injury list heading into Sunday's game, click here.
