The Bears shared a mix of good news and bad news in their first injury report of the week. Let’s start with the bad: tight end Cole Kmet (knee), center Lucas Patrick (knee) and wide receiver Darnell Mooney (concussion) all did not participate in practice on Wednesday.
But left guard Teven Jenkins (concussion), running back D’Onta Foreman (personal), wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (pectoral) and linebacker Noah Sewell (knee) all returned to practice and fully participated.
Kmet dealt with a quadriceps injury in the week leading up to the Cardinals game, but the pain didn’t get in the way of a spectacular first half performance where he hauled in four catches for 107 yards.
But Kmet hurt his knee in the second quarter and did not return to the game. It’s unclear when Patrick hurt himself since no injury was reported over the course of last Sunday’s game.
Mooney also appeared to be healthy as the Bears left Soldier Field to enjoy Christmas Eve. But Mooney came into Halas Hall on Monday self-reporting concussion-like symptoms. The team tested him and placed him in the protocol
Almost Falcons every player participated in Wednesday’s practice as Atlanta begins preparations for the Chicago Bears game this Sunday, but several were limited, the team announced.
Only veterans Calais Campbell and Cordarrelle Patterson were absent with a typical rest day on the first practice day.
Quarterback Taylor Heinicke (ankle) was among seven players listed as limited on the team’s participation report.
Defensive lineman David Onyemata (ankle), outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter (neck) and offensive linemen Jake Matthews (knee), Drew Dalman (ankle), Chris Lindstrom (ankle) and Kaleb McGary (knee) were also listed as limited.
Matthews exited in the fourth quarter of a Week 16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. He did not return, but head coach Arthur Smith said he was cleared to return.
Lindstrom and Carter left the game and were evaluated for concussions but both returned to the game.
The offensive linemen have battled injuries for the last few weeks. McGary has missed Atlanta’s last three games while Matthews, Dalman and Lindstrom returned to gameplay in Week 16 after all missing the previous contest.
As did defensive lineman David Onyemata who was inactive for the previous two games before returning against the Colts.