2 min read • August 12, 2021
Posted in
Chicago Bears
Offense
RB Tarik Cohen -
The speedy gadget back tore his ACL just after signing a huge contract and missed the rest of the season. The injury was suffered Week 3 of last season and he has begun training camp on the PUP list. This will likely be a down year for Cohen given his injury and explosive style of play. We would not expect much from him but could rebound and round into form late in the season alongside David Montgomery. His second season back from the ACL tear will likely be more productive.
WR Allen Robinson -
The stud wideout is dealing with a nagging hamstring injury that has caused Robinson to be held out of the Bears' last practice. He returned the following day in limited capacity and was likely already not playing in the Bears' first preseason game. He will likely be limited in practice as a precaution as wideouts rely on their hamstrings to separate and cut. The injury was reported to be minor but we will monitor the star receiver's situation as we inch closer to the season.
Offensive Line
OL James Daniels -
The stud offensive lineman suffered a torn pectoral tendon Week 5 and missed the rest of the season as it required subsequent surgery. Daniels left training camp practice this year with a thigh injury. The pectoral tendon repair surgery and rehab is very reliable, leaving us with no issues going forward although we hope the thigh issue is minor.
Defense
LB Khalil Mack -
The former Pro Bowler dealt with lingering knee, back and shoulder issues that saw him on the injury report for the majority of the season. Due to his toughness, Mack did not miss a game, but his production was down in 2020 which may be due to the numerous injuries suffered. Logging 9.0 sacks in a down year just proves his grit playing through the numerous ailments. There has not been much public detail on his injuries but there is no reason to think an offseason of rest and rehab doesn't set up Mack for a bounce back year.
LB Roquan Smith -
Smith injured his elbow in Week 17 and while he was initially listed as questionable to return, by video he appeared to dislocate his elbow. Indeed he was out for the rest of the contest, and it was later confirmed to be a dislocated elbow causing him to miss the Bears playoff matchup with the Saints. No surgery was needed and he should be good to go but might don a brace if extra protection is needed. Smith is set for another big year locking down the middle of the Bears defense.
DT Akiem Hicks -
Hicks missed Week 12 with a hamstring injury, and left the next game early with the same problem. The Bears defensive tackle will continue to be a big part of the defensive front but his production has gone down in recent years. He missed 11 games in 2019 due to an elbow injury and will hope to stay on the field this season. Hicks is the key to the Bears defense and comes into 2021 healthy.
CB Jaylon Johnson -
The rookie CB had shoulder issues at Utah with surgeries on both sides. His left shoulder was operated on twice, as well as suffering a torn labrum on the right side, Johnson injured the right side again, missing the last three games of the season and the Bears postseason game. Johnson did not have offseason surgery and is poised for a big second season but one has to be concerned about his recurring shoulder issues. An ascending corner, he could make himself a fixture of this defense if he can keep his shoulders fresh.
CB Desmond Trufant -
The veretran free agent signing dealt with a bothersome hamstring all season. Trufant suffered the injury in the season opener and missed two games just to reaggravate the hamstring. He came back before re-injuring for a third time which caused him to be placed on IR. He missed a total of 10 games but the offseason should put the hamstring issues behind him barring a new injury.
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