More Good News For D’Andre Swift and the Chicago Bears Injury Report

Back-to-back days seeing good news on the Chicago Bears injury report made my jaw drop like it was a scene from a 1990s cartoon.

• We can start with the most encouraging news as running back D’Andre Swift practiced in full on Friday. Swift, the Bears’ leading rusher, began the week not practicing due to a groin injury. But since then, Swift has been upgraded twice. Going from not practicing on Wednesday to doing so in a limited capacity on Thursday before finishing the week as a full go on Friday suggests he is in a good place to play on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Swift is listed as questionable on the injury report. If he can’t go, then I expect the team to flex running back Darrynton Evans from the practice squad. Stay tuned.

• A second consecutive day of full participation for left guard Teven Jenkins is another encouraging sign. Jenkins, who missed last week’s loss against the Green Bay Packers because of an ankle injury that popped up against the New England Patriots, has no game-day designation next to his name on the injury report. In other words, he will be in the starting lineup against the Vikings. Phew.

© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

• The Friday injury report update isn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the Bears. Unfortunately, wide receiver Keenan Allen‘s name pops up on the injury report with an ankle injury. The injury bug has nibbled at Allen this season and has caused him to miss time. I thought we saw glimpses of what Keenan was supposed to provide to this offense last week against Green Bay. But now, the Pro Bowl receiver’s status for Sunday’s game against Minnesota is questionable. Allen’s availability could be a game-time decision.

• Offensive lineman Ryan Bates remains in concussion protocol and won’t suit up on Sunday. Bates played seven snaps at left guard against the Packers before leaving the game with a concussion. Jake Curhan played admirably in his place, so I figure he’ll take Bates’ role as swing offensive lineman in case someone on the line gets hurt.

• Joining Bates in already being ruled out is safety Elijah Hicks, who suffered an ankle injury against the Packers. The Bears signed Adrian Colbert to their practice squad earlier in the week. I imagine he’ll get the first crack at making the jump to add to the secondary’s depth. Maybe we’ll see Jonathan Owens start in place of Hicks, who had been starting while Jaquan Brisker was out with his concussion issues.

• A step in the right direction for rookie offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie, who was limited in Friday’s practice. The limited participation is the Yale product’s first football action since suffering a calf injury in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders. I wouldn’t expect Amegadjie to jump back onto the active roster for game day, but his return could come soon.

Chicago Bears Week 12 Injury Report — Friday’s Update

We’ll likely see some players elevated from the practice squad and added to the game-day roster at some point on Saturday (if not sooner). In the meantime, here is the final look at this week’s injury report: