Bears vs Titans Injury Report: Chicago rules 4 out, Cole Kmet questionable

The Chicago Bears are faced with a multitude of injuries while they try to break a 2-game losing streak heading into a week nine matchup with the Tennessee Titans.

They have already ruled the following players out for Sunday; nose tackle John Jenkins, defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris, center Sam Mustipher, and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Tight end Cole Kmet is listed as questionable with a groin injury, and he was limited at today’s practice, so that bodes well for his chances to play.

But Chicago’s injury report only tells part of the story, because the team is also dealing with a Reserve/COVID situation as Jason Spriggs, who would have started at right tackle for the injured Bobby Massie, was placed on the list earlier this week, and center Cody Whitehair, who was also dealing with a calf injury, was placed on the list today.

The Bears did get some good news today as starting right guard Germain Ifedi came off the Reserve/COVID list and will be able to play.

That could mean the starting offensive line the Bears trot out there in Tennessee will have Rashaad Coward, moving from left guard over to get the start at right tackle, next to Ifedi at right guard. But with Whitehair and Mustipher unavailable it’ll likely be second-year pro Alex Bars getting his first start at a new position for him, center. The left guard will probably be rookie Arlington Hambright, but the Bears will have veteran Charles Leno Jr. at his usual left tackle spot.

The only reserve offensive lineman on the current roster is rookie Lachavious Simmons, so expect a couple practice squadders to get called up for the game.

With Trubisky out expect Tyler Bray to come up as well, and there was some more good news from Halas Hall today as head coach Matt Nagy said that Trubisky’s shoulder injury would not lead to injured reserve.

For the Titans, they have already ruled punter Brett Kern and wide receiver Adam Humphries out for Sunday against the Bears.

They list two players as questionable including, defensive end/outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (knee) and cornerback Tye Smith (shoulder).

Clowney hasn’t practiced all week and he’ll be a game time decision. “We’re just trying to do what is best for him, and what’s best for the football team,” Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel said about Clowney, “and that was to give him a couple of days of rest. We’ll see where he’s at tomorrow and at 10:30 Sunday (when the inactives are due) make a decision on the 48 guys that go to the game.”

What are your thoughts on the injury list this week?