The Chicago Bears defense has had it rough this year. They started so well through the first month of the season with big performances against the likes of Cincinnati and Las Vegas. Then the injuries started and in truth, they haven't stopped. Already without Khalil Mack for the rest of the year, their defensive line has struggled to stay healthy. This Sunday felt like they might finally get most of their core back on the field.
This was because Akiem Hicks, the centerpiece of that front, had finally returned to practice after missing multiple weeks with an ankle issue. He even met with the media. Usually a good sign that he would play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Then barely 24 hours before kickoff, fans had the rug pulled out from under them one last time. Hicks was downgraded for the game.
He will not play.
[video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Akiem-Hicks-has-a-sense-of-appreciation-playing-in-the-NFL-Chicago-Bears2021_12_10_21_12_20.mp4"][/video] There is no getting around it. The Chicago Bears defense was going to have a hard enough time dealing with Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau Field with all of their guys healthy. With Mack and now Hicks both out of the picture? This has a chance to get ugly fast. Especially when their offense has proven all year they are completely unequipped to win shootouts. Not with a rookie quarterback in a bad offensive system. One can only feel bad for Hicks. He knows this is probably his final year in Chicago. Having to watch much of it from the sideline must be killing him. His dream was to get the Bears to a Super Bowl. To see Soldier Field rocking. Now he'll play spectator for what will likely be yet another Packers runaway victory. An unceremonious way for the core of another great defense to go out. Yet that is often the cruel reality of age in the NFL.
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