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Bears Injury Report: Too Many Players Missing on Wednesday

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Ron Luce | Last updated Jan 3, 2024 5:06 PM ET

The Chicago Bears have one final game on the schedule for the 2023 campaign. Although a Green Bay Packers win in Week 17 eliminated the Bears from the playoff picture, the Bears can return the favor by defeating the Packers in Week 18. A Packers win all but locks up a playoff spot, a loss to the Bears and there is only a 15% chance Green Bay will still make the postseason.

However, in order for the Bears to beat the dreaded Packers, a healthy roster will definitely be a necessity. This is a very different Bears team from Week 1, but a number of key players have landed on the first injury report for Week 18.

Per the Bears, CB Jaylon Johnson, TE Cole Kmet, WR Darnell Mooney, LS Patrick Scales, and QB Tyson Bagent all did not practice on Wednesday. In addition, DJ Moore was a limited participant with what is likely the same ankle that plagued him in the win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16.

Bagent's absence is related to illness, indicating he'll likely return at some point this week. However, Johnson and Scales as new additions to the list adds concern. Jaylon Johnson is having an All-Pro caliber season and losing him is something the Bears do not want against their bitter rival. Also, Cole Kmet and Darnell Mooney both failed to practice after Kmet barely saw the field on Sunday and Mooney missed the Week 17 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.

Moore's limited status is not creating full-blown panic, but it is a little concerning. That said, if the ankle was bothering Moore in Week 17, it did not factor into him landing on the injury report. Moore balled out against the Falcons, pulling in nine catches for 159 yards, and one touchdown on 13 targets. Ideally, the limited participation from Moore is to keep him ready for Sunday.

Thursday and Friday will provide more updates on these players. At this point, no one can be ruled out. However, the longer the week goes without seeing Johnson, Kmet, Mooney, Scales, and Bagent in practice, the higher the concern will become for the season finale at Lambeau Field.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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