15 Chicago Bears were listed on the team’s injury report this week.
Three have been ruled out, two are doubtful, three are questionable and seven are probable.
LB Brian Urlacher (hamstring), CB Tim Jennings (shoulder) and WR Earl Bennett (concussion) have all been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.
Urlacher was never a thought to play this week, but the Bears were hoping they could get Jennings and Bennett back to full strength.
DT Henry Melton (chest) and DE Shea McClellin (knee) are both doubtful after they didn’t participate in practice all week.
Melton hurt his chest last week against the Vikings and was in and out of action. His absence would be a big blow for the Bears’ defense.
McClellin has a sprained MCL and only played in the first half of last week’s game. Corey Wootton and Israel Idonije will have to step up with him likely out.
RB Michael Bush (ribs), LB Geno Hayes (knee) and DT Matt Toeaina (knee) are all questionable to play this Sunday.
Bush participated in practice on a limited basis today after not practicing the past two days. He will be used sparingly against the Packers.
Hayes has practiced on a limited basis the past two days after not practicing on Wednesday. He should be good to go for this one.
Toeaina has practiced on a limited basis all week. He will be counted on especially if Melton is unable to suit up.
DT Stephen Paea (foot) and LG Chris Spencer (knee) are both listed as probable after practicing in full all week.
Paea missed last week with a lingering foot injury and Spencer has missed the past two weeks with a knee injury. Both players will start.
LB Lance Briggs (knee/hip) and QB Jay Cutler (neck/knee) each sat out practice on Wednesday. They participated on a limited basis on Thursday and practiced in full on Friday.
Cutler was forced to miss the final offensive drive for the Bears last week due to a neck injury. Briggs has been battling a hip issue as of late. Both players are ready to start.
Also, TE Kellen Davis (knee) practiced in full Friday after being limited in practice the past two days. He should be ready to go in this one.
Despite the amount of Bears that are battling injuries, they seem confident in what they can accomplish this Sunday against the Packers.
That could be a good thing for the reeling Bears. We’re sure to see what their really made of on Sunday.
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
