The Chicago Bears were hit hard by COVID-19 this week, where a slew of players landed on the list, along with all three coordinators. They also have a number of players who could miss the game due to injury.
There are quite a number of players who could miss Monday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, which leaves some positions — like cornerback, receiver and offensive line — vulnerable heading into this game.
With that said, we’re taking a look at what the Bears’ depth chart could look like Monday night against the Vikings.
Quarterback
AP Photo/Aaron Gash
Starter: Justin Fields
Backup: Nick Foles
Despite suffering a left hand contusion last week, Justin Fields is good to go for Monday night against the Vikings. But it’ll be Nick Foles serving as Fields’ backup once again as Andy Dalton is on the reserve/COVID-19 list and dealing with a left hand injury.
Running back
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Starter: David Montgomery
Backups: Khalil Herbert, Damien Williams
Despite some illness scares with David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert earlier in the week, Chicago will have a relatively full stable of running backs heading into Monday night, with the exception of Ryan Nall on the COVID list. Running back is arguably the healthiest position group for the Bears right now.
Wide receiver
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Starters: Darnell Mooney, Damiere Byrd
Backups: Jakeem Grant, Rodney Adams (PS)
The Bears look like they’ll be without Allen Robinson, who landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week. Marquise Goodwin, who’s been nursing foot injury for a few weeks, is doubtful for this game, which leaves Chicago thin at receiver. Expect a lot of Darnell Mooney, Damiere Byrd and Jakeem Grant in this game. The Bears could flex Rodney Adams from the practice squad to the active roster for game day.
Tight end
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Starters: Cole Kmet, Jimmy Graham
Backups: J.P. Holtz, Jesper Horsted
While Cole Kmet had an illness earlier in the week and Jimmy Graham nursed a knee injury that limited him in practice, both look like they’ll be good to go Monday night. Jesse James is on the reserve/COVID-19 list and doesn’t look like he’ll be available. But J.P. Holtz and Jesper Horsted will be good to go against the Vikings.
Offensive line
AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski
Left tackle: Teven Jenkins
Left guard: Cody Whitehair
Center: Sam Mustipher
Right guard: James Daniels
Right tackle: Elijah Wilkinson
Reserves: Alex Bars, Lachavious Simmons
The Bears will likely be without their two starting tackles in Jason Peters, who suffered a high ankle sprain last week against the Packers, and rookie Larry Borom, who landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week. That means Teven Jenkins will be making his first NFL start, likely at left tackle in place of Jenkins, while Elijah Wilkinson, who is returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list, looks to get the start at right tackle.
Defensive line
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Starters: Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Bilal Nichols
Backups: Angelo Blackson, Margus Hunt
Barring a setback, Akiem Hicks appears on track to return to the starting lineup for the first time in over a month, which is good news for a Bears defensive front that’ll have to contend with Dalvin Cook. Eddie Goldman was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, which gives Chicago its starting defensive line. Mario Edwards, a key reserve, remains sidelined on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Outside linebacker
AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Starters: Robert Quinn, Trevis Gipson
Backups: Bruce Irvin, Ledarius Mack
The Bears have their current starting edge rushers available in Robert Quinn and Trevis Gipson, where Quinn will be looking to continue his dominance off the edge. Quinn has 7.5 sacks in the last four games — 14 on the season — and he’s just 3.5 shy of matching Richard Dent’s single-season record in Chicago. Bruce Irvin and Ledarius Mack will serve as reserves at outside linebacker.
Inside linebacker
AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Starters: Roquan Smith, Alec Ogletree
Backups: Christian Jones, Caleb Johnson
While Roquan Smith reaggravated his hamstring injury last Sunday against the Packers, he’s officially questionable for this game and on track to play, which is great news for the Bears. Alec Ogletree and Christian Jones figure to continue to split reps opposite Smith while Caleb Johnson will continue to serve as additional depth.
Cornerback
AP Photo/Jason Behnken
Starters: Kindle Vildor, Thomas Graham Jr. (PS)
Backups: Marqui Christian
Cornerback has been an absolute mess this season, and it’s going to be at its worst this week against the Vikings. The Bears are down to just one cornerback on the active roster in Kindle Vildor as Jaylon Johnson and Artie Burns are currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list and Xavier Crawford is sidelined with a concussion. Look for the Bears to flex rookie Thomas Graham Jr. to the active roster for game day. Marqui Christian should get the nod in the slot.
Safety
AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack
Starters: Deon Bush, Teez Tabor
Backup: Marqui Christian
The bad news continues in the secondary as the Bears look to be down three safeties in Eddie Jackson and Tashaun Gipson, who are on the reserve/COVID-19 list, and DeAndre Houston-Carson, who is nursing a forearm injury that has him already ruled out for Monday night. That means it’ll likely be Deon Bush and Teez Tabor getting the start with Christian as available depth.
Special teams
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Kicker: Cairo Santos
Punter: Pat O’Donnell
Long snapper: Patrick Scales
Kickoff returner: Khalil Herbert
Punt returner: Jakeem Grant
Special teams remains the most consistent unit on the team this season, where things are business as usual with Cairo Santos, Pat O’Donnell, Patrick Scales and return specialists Khalil Herbert and Jakeem Grant.
Coordinators
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Offensive coordinator: John DeFilippo
Defensive coordinator: Mike Pettine
Special teams coordinator: Brian Ginn
Right now, offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, defensive coordinator Sean Desai and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor are all in COVID-19 protocols, which means their availability for Monday night is in question. But the Bears have a plan in place with John DeFilippo (OC), Mike Pettine (DC) and Brian Ginn (STC).
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