The Chicago Bears briefly sent a jolt through their fan base, but the early fear around Montez Sweat turned out to be far less serious than it first sounded.
The team announced that Sweat has been placed on Active/Non-Football Illness, while defensive back Elijah Hicks landed on Active/Physically Unable to Perform. Hicks is now the sixth player to be added to that list over the last few days, and he is dealing with a shin injury.
Sweat’s update looked alarming at first glance, but the Bears are calling it a simple illness. The expectation is that he will be back on the field in the next few days.
That matters because Chicago can’t really afford to be without him. Sweat is arguably the most important player on the defensive side of the ball, and he remains the team’s only consistent pass rusher.
Even a short absence is not ideal, though there is some comfort in the timing. Missing the start of camp is better than missing time later, and Sweat already knows defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s system, which softens the blow a bit.
Hicks’ situation is more of a wait-and-see deal. He is expected to miss some time, but the hope is that he returns before the season begins.
Still, his absence adds to a growing concern in the secondary, especially with head coach Ben Johnson’s bad side with his soft-tissue injury. If the defensive backfield keeps thinning out, the Bears could start looking a lot like they did last year, and outside help may have to be added.
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