The benefit of a long week with a matchup on Monday Night Football looming is that it gives players an extra day of rest and preparation following the beating of a Sunday game. (We don’t talk about the short week and it’s negatives that ensue.)
It’s been a winding road for Kyle Long since severely injuring his ankle in November 2016. An injury with complications galore he’s still had to deal with ever since. With a Monday game on the horizon, it appears the Bears gave the former All-Pro guard a precautionary day off as he did not participate in Thursday’s practice. We’ll likely have to await Long’s official status come game time against the Seahawks in a few days.
In other Bears injury news and notes, Bryce Callahan was limited with a knee injury, while Daniel Brown returned to practice. Being only limited on the Thursday before a Monday night game means that Callahan is set to play barring something unforeseen over the weekend. The Bears cannot afford an injury to any of their cornerbacks, but particularly at the nickel with Callahan where they don’t have a reliable or experienced backup.
Friday’s official injury report should illuminate further on what Bears to expect in Chicago’s 2018 home opener against Seattle.
Robert Zeglinski is the Editor-in-chief of The Blitz Network, the managing editor of Windy City Gridiron, and a writer for a host of other fine publications. You can find him on Twitter @RobertZeglinski.