Bears Place Star DT Akiem Hicks on IR Due to Elbow Injury
By Karl Rasmussen
Just last week Akiem Hicks' status was being described as "day-to-day" by head coach Matt Nagy. With the Bears enjoying a bye week in Week 6, fans were hopeful that Hicks would be able to return to full strength given the extra week of rest.
Well, that's far from the case. Per Ian Rapoport, the Bears have placed Hicks on IR due to his ailing elbow, after the star DL had been mulling opinions on the injury for the past couple of weeks.
Another hit to the #Bears front line: They placed DT Akiem Hicks (elbow) on Injured Reserve. He had been soliciting opinions for the last two weeks.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 15, 2019
This is a huge loss for the Bears, as while they still own one of the best defensive units in football, the absence of Hicks in the trenches will be noticeable.
On the year, Hicks has played in four games, recording one sack, six tackles, a fumble recovery and three QB hits. He was a Pro-Bowler in 2018 after logging 7.5 sacks and forcing three fumbles.
#Bears roster moves:
— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) October 15, 2019
We have placed DT Akiem Hicks on IR.
We also have signed OL Alex Bars from the practice squad to the active roster and have signed LB Fadol Brown to the practice squad.
In a corresponding move, the Bears have promoted offensive lineman Alex Bars to the active roster from the practice squad. Bars is expected to compete to fill in for the vacancy left by Kyle Long, who was also recently placed on IR.
In Hicks' stead, expect the Bears Roy Robertson-Harris, Jonathan Harris and Eddie Goldman to pick up the slack.