The Chicago Bears hit the practice field for the first time in the run-up to their game against the Dallas Cowboys, and they were missing several key players as they prepare for Week 3.
The biggest absence on the list was quarterback Jay Cutler, who sat out practice with a thumb injury. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bears are expecting Cutler to miss two to three weeks with the injury, and Brian Hoyer took all of the snaps with the first-string during the part of the session open to the media.
Another big name on Wednesday’s injury report was wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who was limited in practice while dealing with a knee issue. Jeffery was limited to just nine games last season due to a spate of lower-body injuries, but it’s unclear at this point if the knee issue will have any bearing on his status for Sunday’s game.
Finally, linebacker Lamarr Houston was officially diagnosed with a torn ACL, according to Bears head coach John Fox, and will likely miss the rest of the season. The team is still deciding what to do in terms of a roster decision, but it’s assumed that when Houston is placed on injured reserve the Bears will bring quarterback Matt Barkley up from the practice squad to back up Hoyer in Cutler’s absence.
Safety Adrian Amos and cornerback Bryce Callahan also missed the workout Wednesday, as both players are still in the NFL’s concussion protocol following blows to the head in Monday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (ankle) and safety Chris Prosinski (calf) also missed Wednesday’s practice.
Cornerbacks Kyle Fuller and Tracy Porter were limited participants in Wednesday’s workout, as both are working through knee injuries. Porter has appeared in the team’s first two games of the season, while Fuller has missed both contests due to a lingering injury that he suffered during the preseason.
Local
Offensive linemen Josh Sitton (shoulder) and Bobby Massie (toe) were limited participants as well.
