The Packers expect to have right tackle Zach Tom back in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Bears.
Tom missed the final three games of the regular season with a knee injury, but head coach Matt LaFleur said at a Tuesday press conference that Tom should be back in the lineup this weekend.
“I think that would be a huge get,” LaFleur said. “He’s our most consistent offensive lineman. He’s one of the best, I think, in the league at his position. That would definitely be a boost.”
LaFleur also said that he expects backup quarterback Malik Willis to be available. Willis dealt with a right shoulder injury in the final weeks of the season and was inactive for their Week 18 loss to the Vikings.
Wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks remains in the concussion protocol, but he will take part in practice as he moves toward possible clearance in time to face Chicago.
The Bears are getting a couple of players back on the practice field this week as they get ready to face the Packers on Saturday night.
Chicago announced cornerback Kyle Gordon and offensive lineman Braxton Jones have been designated for return from injured reserve.
Gordon has been dealing with a groin injury and has not played since Nov. 28. He appeared in just three games this season, recording seven total tackles with one fumble recovery and a sack.
Jones has a knee injury and has been sidelined since October. He played six games with four starts during the regular season.
Playing on Saturday, Chicago’s first injury report of the week is due out later on Tuesday.
Sports books are all over the map on who’s favored in Saturday night’s Packers-Bears playoff game.
At some books, the Bears are favored by as much as 1.5 points. At other sports books, the Packers are favored by as much as 1.5 points.
Some bettors are undoubtedly betting both Bears +1.5 and Packers +1.5 and hoping for a 21-20 final score.
The two teams played two close games this season. The Packers won 28-21 in Green Bay on December 7, in a game that was tied late in the fourth quarter. The Bears won 22-16 in Chicago on December 20, in a game that went into overtime.
They’ll meet for a third time on Saturday in Chicago, and it’s likely to be another close game that comes down to the final minute.
The Bears could see the return of slot cornerback Kyler Gordon to practice this week.
“That’s the hope,” coach Ben Johnson said, via James Neveau of NBC 5 Chicago.
Gordon went on injured reserve Dec. 13 after injuring his groin during warmups at Lambeau Field on Dec. 7. The Bears ruled him out of that game against the Packers just before kickoff.
He has appeared in only three games this season, totaling seven tackles and a sack. Gordon has played 117 snaps and none since Nov. 28.
Gordon’s return to the lineup would provide a boost to the Bears at the right time, with C.J. Gardner-Johnson in concussion protocol.
The Falcons requested interviews with a couple of head coaching candidates on Monday and they’re getting the ball rolling on their General Manager search as well.
According to multiple reports, they have requested an interview with Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham.
Cunningham has been a candidate for multiple vacancies around the league in recent years and was considered a finalist for the Commanders’ opening in 2024. He has spent the last four seasons with the Bears and worked for the Eagles and Ravens before joining GM Ryan Poles in Chicago.
Poles played college football at Boston College with Matt Ryan, who is expected to be the new president of football operations in Atlanta. That connection could help Cunningham’s chances of advancing beyond the finalist stage this time around, but there will be more candidates added to the mix before the Falcons are in position to hire anyone.
