Injury report: Quinn limited, but inches toward return originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Outside linebacker Robert Quinn participated in practice Wednesday, an important step toward the Bears’ defensive plan materializing in 2020.
Quinn was limited on Wednesday with the ankle injury that kept him out of the Bears’ season opener against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. But he didn’t participate at all in practice last week; he previously had not been spotted during the portion of practice open to the media at all in the month of September.
The effect of not having Quinn was noticeable for the Bears on Sunday at Ford Field. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford spent more than 2 1/2 seconds in the pocket on 18 of his 42 pass attempts, yet was sacked just once (by Akiem Hicks in the fourth quarter). The Bears pressured Stafford on 30 percent of his drop-backs, per Pro Football Focus, yet only managed that one sack and five hits.
The Bears’ defensive front was disruptive, but not destructive in Week 1. Getting Quinn back – whether it’s Week 2 or Week 3 – should finally give us an opportunity to see what Ryan Pace’s pass-rush-oriented plan for this defense is supposed to look like.
Also: There never really was a threat of Quinn missing significant time with this ankle injury. Had there been, the Bears would’ve placed him on injured reserve before the Lions game, opening up a roster spot and allowing him to return for Week 4 at the earliest.
So while Quinn may not be a lock to play against the Giants – it’s still early in the week – it seems likely he’ll make his Bears debut before the end of September.
“This is a really a good football player that we can’t wait to get back,” outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino said. “I don’t believe that conditioning will be an issue.”
Khalil Mack (knee) was again limited in Wednesday's practice after that was the case every day last week. Tight end Jimmy Graham and wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. were given Wednesday off with "non-injury/resting veteran" designations.
