The Chicago Bears dropped some bad news on Saturday ahead of their Week 7 showdown with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team has downgraded defensive end Akiem Hicks from “Questionable” to “Out” for Sunday's game due to groin injury.

According to the Bears' injury update, Hicks was a limited participant during the team's Friday practice because of the issue. He sustained the groin issue during their Week 4 game against the Detroit Lions, which forced him out in their following contest with the Las Vegas Raiders.

When Hicks returned in time for their Week 6 meeting with the Green Bay Packers, the expectations were he is finally healthy. Unfortunately, that is not the case as the issue continues to bother him.

Akiem Hicks' absence couldn't come at a worse time for the Bears. Facing Tom Brady and the Buccaneers is always a tough ordeal, and it just got even harder with the injury to the star defensive end.

The 10-year NFL veteran has already 1.5 sacks, 11 combined tackles and five QB hits through the five games he has played. Without him, backup DE Angelo Blackson will have to step up and fill the void he has left on the Bears.

Chicago is 3-3 on the season, well in contention for the top spot in the NFC North. While the Packers are difficult to topple, the Bears are not without fighting chance as Justin Fields and the rest of the team have truly showed up.

Hopefully, though, the Bears can bounce back even without Hicks and avoid losing two straight games for the first time this 2021 campaign.