During Monday night's 31-15 beatdown of the Washington Redskins, the Chicago Bears witnessed their star defensive lineman, Akiem Hicks, limp off the field with a knee injury. Though coach Matt Nagy claimed it was a “wear and tear” injury on Tuesday, the Pro Bowler is considered to be a game-time decision for Week 4.
After missing Wednesday and Thursday practices, Nagy claimed that Hicks would be a game-time decision. The coach said on Thursday, via JJ Stankevitz of NBC Sports Chicago:
“I think he's truly going to be a game-time decision.”
Hicks hasn't missed a start since 2015. Doing so on Sunday is more than a “less than ideal” scenario for the Bears. They will have to face the Minnesota Vikings, who boast one of the NFL's best ground games led by star running back Dalvin Cook.
Hicks, considered to be an elite run defender, is an integral piece to the Bears stout defense. If out, they will feel the pain of going up against a team that won't mind to tread out runs where he anchors down the middle of the defensive line.
As USA Today's Alyssa Barbieri says,
“There’s no substitute for Hicks’ presence on Chicago’s defensive line, in particular when it comes to stopping the run.”
The Bears defense is already a beat-up unit. Star safety Eddie Jackson was limited in practice on Thursday with a shoulder injury. Hicks' backup, Bilal Nichols, joined the injured veteran as those not to practice this week as he's dealing with a hand injury.
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