As the Chicago Bears head into the final quarter of what’s been a disappointing 2019 season, they’re clinging to slim playoff hopes — and they might be getting back a key member of the defensive line in the process.
After suffering an elbow injury against the Oakland Raiders in Week 5, Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks has been on injured reserve since Oct. 15. Hicks is eligible to start practicing Sunday with the team, although he won’t be permitted to return to game action until Week 15, where the Bears will travel to Green Bay to face the Packers.
“I hope that’s what our focus is,” coach Matt Nagy said Friday, via the Sun-Times. “We’re hoping that he’s able to come back this week and start practicing, so that’s kind of the goal.”
When asked if he thought Hicks could make it through an entire practice, Nagy said, “That, I don’t know. I guess we’ll see.”
The Bears would likely only activate Hicks if they remain mathematically in the hunt for a playoff spot. Currently, the Bears sit a 6-6 with a huge game looming against the 6-6 Dallas Cowboys next Thursday night. Chicago’s defense has certainly missed Hicks’ presence in the run defense, which has struggled with his absence.
“It’d be huge,” Nagy said. “Any time you have a guy that is the type of player he is, the type of leader he is, what he’s meant. I like the way he’s handled himself here in the last, whatever it is, seven or eight weeks. He’s done a great job at being around and being a great teammate and a leader and mentor to all these younger guys.
“It’s exciting when you get to this point. It does feel like forever ago, but hopefully we can get that moving forward.”
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