Tag: Bears COVID

Bears in enhanced mitigation protocols following series of positive COVID tests

It’s been a rough few days for the Bears between a blowout loss to the Bucs and a string of positive COVID tests.

It’s been a rough few days for the Chicago Bears between a blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a string of positive COVID tests.

Bears head coach Matt Nagy announced he tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday morning, and he’s away from the facility until further notice. But Nagy’s diagnosis is far from an isolated case.

With Nagy’s positive test, the Bears now have six players and coaches on the COVID-19 list. Outside linebacker Robert Quinn, tight end Jimmy Graham, right tackle Elijah Wilkinson, linebacker Caleb Johnson and wide receivers coach Mike Furrey are the others. Running back Damien Williams was removed from the list on Saturday.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Bears are now in enhanced mitigation protocols after a series of positive COVID tests.

As for what that means, players and staff will be required to wear masks and be tested daily regardless of whether they’re vaccinated or not.

With Nagy away from Halas Hall until further notice, special teams coordinator Chris Tabor will run any team meetings in Nagy’s absence. That gives defensive coordinator Sean Desai and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor time to focus on their respective units.

For any vaccinated players or coaches testing positive for COVID-19, they need two negative tests more than 24 hours apart in order to return. If unvaccinated, they’re mandated to isolate for 10 days and can return after if asymptomatic.

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Bears add TE Jimmy Graham to reserve/COVID-19 list

The COVID list is getting a little crowded for the Bears as Jimmy Graham was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.

The COVID list is getting a little crowded for the Chicago Bears.

Tight end Jimmy Graham is the latest player to be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, head coach Matt Nagy announced on Friday.

Graham joins outside linebacker Robert Quinn, running back Damien Williams, and receivers coach Mike Furrey, who remain on the list, per Nagy.

Graham, who is vaccinated, must test negative for COVID-19 twice within 24 hours apart before he can rejoin the team. Because of the timing, he will be out for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The veteran tight end has been used sparingly this year, totaling just one catch for 11 yards through six games, though he’s seen work as a blocker in the run game.

With Graham out, Cole Kmet, Jesse James, J.P. Holtz and Jesper Horsted are the remaining healthy tight ends. Holtz is questionable with a quad injury, but is expected to return to action.

The Bears take on the Buccaneers at 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday.

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Bilal Nichols lauds Bears for creating safe environment amid COVID-19 pandemic

Despite a couple of scares, the Bears were able to keep their players safe through a COVID-19 season.

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In what was ultimately a disappointing season for the Chicago Bears, we were lucky that the 2020 season even happened amid the COVID-19 pandemic that halted all sports leagues at some point.

While the Bears had a couple of COVID-19 scares on the practice squad and one of the starting offensive line, ultimately Chicago played every game and, most importantly, kept their players safe.

Bears defense tackle Bilal Nichols spoke to the franchise’s success in fostering a safe environment for players.

“The Bears did an awesome job with providing us with the facility and everything we needed to be able to stay safe and come in and get to work,” Nichols said. “So, you know, credit to them. They did a great job and created a safe environment for us.”

There were a couple of instances where players or coaches were placed in COVID-19 protocol, whether that was on the active roster with Cody Whitehair and Eddie Jackson or the practice squad. Not to mention nose tackle Eddie Goldman opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 precautions.

The biggest hurdle came before the Titans game, when four offensive linemen were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list throughout the week (Whitehair, Germain Ifedi, Jason Spriggs and Lachavious Simmons).

That was also when the Bears first got a good look at Sam Mustipher and Alex Bars, who look to be part of the future at offensive line for Chicago.

When all was said and done, the Bears didn’t miss any games during the 2020 season, which is a credit to how Andre Tucker and the Bears organization handled things.

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Bears place KR/WR DeAndre Carter on reserve/COVID-19 list

The Bears shut down Halas Hall on Thursday temporarily after WR DeAndre Carter tested positive for COVID-19.

The Chicago Bears shut down Halas Hall on Thursday temporarily after a fourth player tested positive for COVID-19. The Bears were cleared to return to the facility and conducted practice on Thursday afternoon.

We finally learned the identity of that fourth player — someone not on the practice squad, unlike the other three. The Bears have officially placed punt returner and receiver DeAndre Carter on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Thursday.

“Obviously we’re not exempt from this pandemic,” head coach Matt Nagy said. “We all know that cases are on the rise. And I just want to credit our players and coaches for adapting and staying flexible. It’s not easy. But we have the right mindset.”

Carter was claimed  by the Bears off waivers from the Texans back on Nov. 18. He’s since appeared in two games, where he’s returned one punt for five yards.

Chicago had already placed three practice squad players on the reserve/COVID-19 list — inside linebacker Manti Te’o, defensive lineman LaCale London and receiver Thomas Ives.

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Bears place DT LaCale London, LB Manti Te’o on reserve/COVID-19

Like many teams this season, the Chicago Bears have had some COVID-19 scares on their team, which unfortunately has continued.

Like many teams this season, the Chicago Bears have had some COVID-19 scares on their team. Unfortunately, that continues.

Chicago has placed practice squad players defensive tackle LaCale London and linebacker Manti Te’o on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Monday.

Both London and Te’o tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Suntimes’ Jason Lieser, and the Bears are currently working through contract tracing.

The good news is London and Te’o have had minimal contact with those players on the active roster. It also helps that Halas Hall is closed Monday and Tuesday.

This isn’t the first time Chicago has dealt with a COVID-19 scare this season. Aside from practice squad offensive lineman Badara Traore testing positive earlier this season, the virus later found its way on the active roster. Offensive linemen Cody Whitehair, Jason Spriggs and Germain Ifedi all found themselves on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Week 9.

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Bears activate S Eddie Jackson from the reserve/COVID-19 list

The Bears received some great news ahead of Sunday’s game against the Packers as Eddie Jackson will suit up for a pivotal Week 12 game.

The Chicago Bears received some great news ahead of Sunday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers, where a valuable member of Chicago’s defense will suit up for this heated rivalry.

The Bears have activated safety Eddie Jackson from the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Friday. Jackson was placed on the list Monday, where his status for Sunday night was in jeopardy.

Jackson, a fourth-round draft pick out of Alabama, has been a cornerstone for this Bears defense since his arrival in the league four years ago. So having him available against Aaron Rodgers and this Packers offense is big.

In four seasons, Jackson has totaled 242 tackles, 10 interceptions, 28 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles and six fumble recovering. He’s been named to back-to-back Pro Bowls from 2018-19 and was voted first-team All-Pro in 2018.

Jackson is the kind of playmaker that could give the Bears a chance to best their rivals on the primetime stage. Jackson has six career defensive touchdowns, which is the most in the NFL since 2017.

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Bears activate OL Jason Spriggs, DB Michael Joseph from reserve/COVID-19 list

The Bears nearly suffered a COVID-19 outbreak last week as several players tested positive for the virus. Now, two have been activated.

The Chicago Bears nearly suffered a COVID-19 outbreak last week as several players tested positive for the virus, including a couple of offensive linemen.

The Bears activated offensive tackle Jason Spriggs and defensive back Michael Joseph from the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Monday.

Spriggs saw action at right tackle in place of an injured Bobby Massie against the New Orleans Saints. Spriggs later tested positive for COVID-19, and he missed last Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans. The Bears get back some depth on the offensive line with the return of Spriggs.

Meanwhile, Joseph was on injured reserve before testing positive for the virus. He’ll remain on IR.

The Bears aren’t out of the woods just yet on the COVID-19 front. Center Cody Whitehair, safety Deon Bush and offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons remain on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Bears place OL Lachavious Simmons on reserve/COVID-19 list, promote Aaron Neary to active roster

The Chicago Bears continue to suffer blows to their offensive line ahead of an important Week 9 match-up against the Tennessee Titans.

The Chicago Bears continue to suffer blows to their offensive line ahead of an important Week 9 match-up against the Tennessee Titans.

After four players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list this week, rookie offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons was the latest to land on the list on Sunday morning. Simmons has been ruled out fir the Titans game, and the Bears have activated offensive lineman Aaron Neary from the practice squad in his place.

Simmons joins three other players currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including center Cody Whitehair, reserve tackle Jason Spriggs and safety Deon Bush.

Whitehair and Spriggs both tested positive for the virus this week, and Germain Ifedi was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week after being deemed a close contact. Ifedi has since tested negative for the virus and is expected to play against the Titans.

Bears S Deon Bush placed on reserve/COVID-19 list, ruled out vs. Titans

Bears S Deon Bush joins Cody Whitehair and Jason Spriggs on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and he will not play Sunday vs. Titans.

The Chicago Bears have another player that has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of their Week 9 game against the Tennessee Titans.

Safety Deon Bush was placed on the reserve/COVID list late Saturday night, and he has since been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Titans.

Bush joins center Cody Whitehair, right guard Germain Ifedi and reserve tackle Jason Spriggs as players placed on the reserve/COVID list this week. Both Whitehair and Spriggs tested positive for the virus.

Ifedi was deemed a close contact of Spriggs’. Ifedi has since tested negative for the virus and activated from the reserve/COVID list, and he’s expected to start against Tennessee.

With Bush being out, the Bears are down to Eddie Jackson, Tashaun Gipson, DeAndre Houston-Carson and Sherrick McManis at safety.

Bears cleared to return to practice Friday following COVID-19 shutdown

The Bears announced Thursday night that they had been cleared to resume football activities continuing under the NFL’s intensive protocol.

It’s been a whirlwind of a day for the Chicago Bears, who suffered a COVID-19 scare that forced them to shutdown Halas Hall on Thursday.

After reserve offensive tackle Jason Spriggs tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, which also forced right guard Germain Ifedi to the reserve/COVID-19 list as a close contact, there was word that another offensive lineman had tested positive for the virus.

While there have been no confirmations from the Bears organization, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that center Cody Whitehair tested positive for COVID-19, which prompted the Bears to shut down Halas Hall and conduct team meetings virtually.

The Bears announced Thursday night that they had been cleared to resume football activities continuing under the NFL’s intensive protocol.

Everything happened pretty quickly on Thursday, as defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano was interrupted during his virtual press conference with media and told to end the call abruptly.

Head coach Matt Nagy did meet with the media following the rollercoaster of a day for the Bears, where Nagy told reporters they were waiting for confirmation on the positive COVID test and contact tracing process.

“There’s a process to it and that’s kind of where [the NFL is] at right now,” Nagy said at the time. “We just wanted to let them do that, and while they’re doing that, we wanted to make sure that, hey, with that being done, let’s go ahead and let’s just right now get everybody home, make sure everybody’s good, get a deep cleanse of the building.”