The Bears took defensive lineman Akiem Hicks off the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday, setting the table for him to play Sunday against the Giants. How much he’ll play, though, is up for debate: Hicks had symptoms while he was out with the coronavirus.
The Bears put Hicks on the reserve list Dec. 23.
It’s becoming clear that some players who return off the reserve list need to build themselves back up, physically, to be able to play in games.
When the Bears took receiver Allen Robinson off the reserve list earlier this week, he detailed the ravages of the virus. He lost 10 pounds and was still struggling to get his lung capacity back up. Right tackle Larry Borom returned last week; Bears coach Matt Nagy said Friday he didn’t start in part because the team was unsure exactly where he was, physically.
Hicks, who is in the last year of his contract, has appeared in eight games this season.