The Bears’ game against the Seahawks could be the battle of bum ankles — Justin Fields vs. Russell Wilson.
Both quarterbacks suffered ankle injuries last week that could impact Fields’ availability and Wilson’s effectiveness Sunday at Lumen Field. Fields was limited again in practice Thursday and is no certainty to start against the Seahawks. Andy Dalton returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday and practiced in full.
Wilson “got smashed up a little bit” on a sack against the Rams on Tuesday night. He is expected to start against the Bears, but the injury could be a factor on a short week.
“I’m feeling good, trying to get better every way with it,” Wilson told reporters in Seattle on Thursday. “I’m working 24/7 around the clock with it. I was at walk-through and practice [Thursday], so I’m feeling good.”
Defensive end Akiem Hicks was put on the reserve/COVID-19 list, putting his status for Sunday’s game in doubt. With Dalton and defensive end Mario Edwards being activated Thursday, the Bears have 10 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including wide receiver Allen Robinson, cornerback Jaylon Johnson, safety Tashaun Gipson and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols.
Left tackle Jason Peters (high ankle sprain), wide receiver/kick returner Jakeem Grant (concussion) and cornerback Xavier Crawford (concussion) did not practice. Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (foot) was limited.
Lazor, Tabor return
Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor were cleared from coronavirus protocol to return to Halas Hall this week. Both did not work the Vikings game on Monday night.
“It was tough,” Tabor said. “Sometimes it’s tough [watching on television] because of the camera shots that they put. The kick return that Herbs [Khalil Herbert] knocks out to the 30 — it’s kind of on top there, so you can’t really see what’s taking place.
“That makes it hard, but I thought coach [Brian] Ginn did a great job. Those guys that had to step up and got opportunities to play for the first time did a nice job, so I was really fired up for those guys. And, obviously, it’s not an experience that I want to go through again.”
A low blow
Cornerback Teez Tabor was called for a low block penalty when he cut in front of Vikings tackle Brian O’Neill while tackling running back Dalvin Cook in the third quarter. It turned a fourth-and-13 at the Vikings 20-yard-line into a first-and-10 at their 35. So instead of punting, the Vikings completed a 12-play, 77-yard touchdown drive for a 17-3 lead.
It appeared that Tabor was penalized for playing football. He wasn’t blocking, he was tackling.
“I thought he did a tremendous job of taking a shot and making a tackle,” Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai said. “He avoided the o-lineman and didn’t hit him low. I understand the safety part of it — I’m all for the player-safety part of it. But he didn’t hit him. So I’ve got to do a better job of maybe taking his target-point a little bit higher as he goes and takes his shot. And I’ll do that.”