The Bears will have to wait at least one more week to see how good their new-look defense can be.
Outside linebacker Robert Quinn will not play Sunday against the Detroit Lions with an ankle injury. Quinn did not participate in practice this week; he has not been spotted during the portions of practice open to the media since his absence was first noted Sept. 1 – three days after he participated in 11-on-11 drills for the first time during training camp.
When asked after the Bears’ Aug. 29 scrimmage at Soldier Field – during which Quinn played well – if he would be ready for Sept. 13’s opener, he said: “As long as I wake up.” The ankle injury, though, derailed that confidence.
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Expect journeyman Barkevious Mingo to primarily fill in for Quinn, with James Vaughters and rookie Trevis Gipson getting some playing time, too. Khalil Mack (knee) is officially listed as questionable, though, and was limited in all three of the Bears’ practices this week.
The Lions, though, will be without right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai, which might soften the blow of Quinn’s likely absence Sunday. Detroit also has star wide receiver Kenny Golladay listed as doubtful – potentially good news for rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who now won’t have to deal with Golladay and Marvin Jones in his NFL debut.
Running back David Montgomery was a full participant in practice for the second consecutive day Friday, though he’s officially listed as questionable (teams are no longer allowed to list players as “probable,” only questionable, doubtful and out).
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The expectation, though, is Montgomery will play Sunday, along with Mack and the other players listed as questionable who participated in full practices this week (running back Cordarrelle Patterson, wide receiver Javon Wims, offensive linemen Germain Ifedi and Jason Spriggs, and cornerback Buster Skrine).