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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Alyssa Barbieri

Analyzing Bears’ final injury report for Week 16 against Bills

The Chicago Bears (3-11) released their final injury report ahead of Saturday’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills (11-3), where Chicago is looking to snap a seven-game losing streak.

The Bears are coming off a narrow 25-20 loss to the one-loss Philadelphia Eagles, where they kept things close with them for four quarters. Now, Chicago will face another challenge in another Super Bowl contender, the Bills. And it sounds like the Bears will be without some key players on Saturday.

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We’re breaking down the Bears’ final injury report heading into Saturday’s matchup against the Bills:

Bears Injury Report

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Game Status
Player Injury
DB Josh Blackwell shoulder FP FP FP
OL Larry Borom knee LP FP FP
WR Chase Claypool knee LP DNP DNP DOUBTFUL
WR N’Keal Harry back FP FP FP
OL Teven Jenkins neck LP DNP DNP DOUBTFUL
DB Jaylon Johnson finger/ribs FP FP LP QUESTIONABLE
DL Justin Jones illness DNP FP FP
OL Riley Reiff illness DNP FP FP
WR Equanimeous St. Brown concussion DNP DNP DNP OUT
DB Kindle Vildor ankle DNP DNP DNP OUT
DL Armon Watts shoulder FP FP
TE Trevon Wesco calf DNP DNP DNP OUT
OL Cody Whitehair knee DNP DNP DNP DOUBTFUL

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

Out

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
  • WR Chase Claypool (knee) – DOUBTFUL
  • RG Teven Jenkins (neck) – DOUBTFUL
  • LG Cody Whitehair (knee) -DOUBTFUL
  • WR Equanimeous St. Brown (concussion) – OUT
  • CB Kindle Vildor (ankle) – OUT
  • TE Trevon Wesco (calf) – OUT

Let’s start with the three guys who are officially “doubtful” for Saturday, where there’s the potential they could suit up but most likely aren’t playing. The Bears will likely be down their top two offensive linemen in Teven Jenkins (neck) and Cody Whitehair (knee), who haven’t practiced the last two days. Receiver Chase Claypool (knee) also hasn’t practiced the last two days after being listed as limited on Tuesday.

The Bears have also ruled out three players, including receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, who suffered a concussion in last week’s game. They’ll also be without a starting cornerback in Kindle Vildor, who’s been battling a lingering ankle injury. Trevon Wesco will miss another game with a calf injury.

Questionable

Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
  • CB Jaylon Johnson (finger/ribs)

Jaylon Johnson landed on the injury report with a finger and ribs injury, although he’s been a full participant in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. He was limited Thursday, where Matt Eberflus explained Johnson has a ring finger injury. Johnson has been practicing with a club on his hand, and if Johnson is good to go, he’ll suit up Saturday.

Removed from injury report

Quinn Harris/Getty Images
  • RT Larry Borom (knee)
  • WR N’Keal Harry (back)
  • DT Justin Jones (illness)
  • RT Riley Reiff (illness)
  • DT Armon Watts (shoulder)
  • CB Josh Blackwell (shoulder)

A number of Bears players were removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday’s game. The three biggest were receiver N’Keal Harry and offensive linemen Larry Borom and Riley Reiff. With Chicago likely to be without Whitehair and Jenkins, the Bears need Borom and Reiff in the lineup. Eberflus mentioned Borom and Michael Schofield as potential fill-ins at those guard positions. Justin Jones, Armon Watts and Josh Blackwell are also cleared to play Saturday.

On injured reserve/PUP list

WR Darnell Mooney (IR): Mooney suffered an ankle injury against the Jets in Week 12, which requires season-ending surgery. Chicago’s top wideout is done for the year.

S Eddie Jackson (IR): Jackson suffered a foot injury in Week 12 against the Jets. It was revealed that Jackson sustained a Lisfranc injury, which landed him on IR. Matt Eberflus confirmed his season is done.

LB Jack Sanborn (IR): Sanborn suffered an ankle injury in Week 15 against  the Eagles. He has been declared out for the rest of his rookie season.

RB Khalil Herbert (IR): Herbert suffered a hip injury against the Lions, which isn’t considered to be season-ending. He’s eligible to return in Week 16 against the Bills. Herbert is being activated off IR before the game

OL Lucas Patrick (IR): Patrick landed on injured reserve after suffering a toe injury in Week 7. He had surgery on his foot and is done for the season.

QB Trevor Siemian (IR): Siemian suffered an oblique injury during warmups of last week’s game against the Jets. While he started and finished the game, he’s having season-ending surgery on his oblique.

S Dane Cruikshank (IR): Cruikshank re-aggravated a hamstring injury that has landed him on IR. He would be eligible to return in Week 18 against the Vikings, but his season is more than likely over.

OL Doug Kramer (IR): Kramer suffered a Lisfranc injury that landed him on IR. Kramer, the only rookie draft selection who didn’t make the roster because of injury, is done for the year.

OL Dakota Dozier (IR): Way back in minicamp, Dozier suffered an ACL injury that ended his season.

Buffalo Bills

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Game Status
Player Injury
QB Josh Allen right elbow LP FP
DE Boogie Basham calf DNP DNP
G Ryan Bates ankle LP FP
DE A.J. Epenesa elbow FP FP
CB Cam Lewis forearm FP FP
LB Matt Milano knee LP LP
C Mitch Morse concussion DNP DNP
DT Ed Oliver calf LP
DT Jordan Phillips shoulder LP LP
S Jordan Poyer rest DNP DNP
G Rodger Saffold rest DNP FP

DNP: Did not practice

LP: Limited participation 

FP: Full participation

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