The Chicago Bears are hoping a couple of key players return from injuries when they take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night at Lambeau Field.
But will that be enough to slow down the NFC North leaders?
Stay with us for the latest Week 14 updates.
Halftime: Bears score 23 long TDs en route to 27-21 lead
Bears punt returner/wide receiver Jakeem Grant scored on a 46-yard catch and run and a 97-yard punt return to fuel a 27-21 halftime lead against the Packers.
Late in the second quarter, Grant caught a punt at the 3-yard line and started to run to his right before breaking back to the left sideline. He then raced to the end zone untouched for a 24-14 Bears lead.
It was the longest punt return in Bears history, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
Earlier in the second quarter, Grant took a short toss from quarterback Justin Fields, broke to the left sideline and sped 46 yards for a touchdown, evading a tackle attempt by Rasul Douglas to get into the end zone.
Grant also had a 34-yard punt return to start the Bears’ second drive at the Packers 44-yard line. While the Bears couldn’t get in the end zone, they went ahead 3-0 on Cairo Santos’ 23-yard field goal.
The Bears traded a 2023 sixth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for Grant in October when they were in need of kickoff and punt return help.
Grant wasn’t the only player making big plays. Fields threw a short pass to wide receiver Damiere Byrd, who raced for a 54-yard touchdown and a 17-14 Bears lead.
That touchdown helped the Bears quickly answer after Fields threw a pick-six to Douglas. Late in the second quarter, Douglas jumped in front of a pass meant for Darnell Mooney and returned the interception 55 yards for a touchdown and a 14-10 Packers lead.
In his return from missing two games with cracked ribs, Fields completed 9 of 16 passes for 150 yards with the two touchdowns and the interception.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 15 of 21 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns in the half.
He had a 2-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to Allen Lazard, who beat Xavier Crawford to get wide open in the end zone. And he hit Davante Adams for a 38-yard touchdown pass to cut the Bears’ lead to 24-21 with 44 seconds left.
Fields was able to get the Bears into range for Santos to kick a 44-yard field goal with five seconds to play.
1st quarter: Jenkins replaces injured Peters at LT
Bears second-round pick Teven Jenkins saw his first action on offense this season after left tackle Jason Peters was injured on the Bears’ second drive.
Peters was injured on quarterback Justin Fields’ 1-yard run on first-and-goal at the 10-yard line. He walked off the field on his own and went to the locker room.
The Bears announced Peters has a right ankle injury and is questionable to return.
After having back surgery in August, Jenkins played in his first game of the season last week against the Arizona Cardinals, recording two snaps on extra points.
Jenkins was flagged for a false start on his third play, which set the Bears back to second-and-goal from the 8. The Bears failed to get in the end zone and settled for Cairo Santos’ 23-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
Inactives announced
While Justin Fields is starting, Nick Foles will be the Bears backup quarterback Sunday night against the Packers.
Andy Dalton is dealing with an injury on his left (non-throwing) hand and didn’t practice all week.
Wide receiver Allen Robinson is active after recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out three games.
But defensive lineman Akiem Hicks was declared out Saturday as he deals with an ankle injury. He has missed four games. Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin is out with a foot injury, and defensive back Teez Tabor is inactive because of an illness.
Running back Ryan Nall and tight end Jesper Horsted also are inactive for the Bears.
For the Packers, left tackle David Bakhtiari, safety Vernon Scott, linebacker Isaiah McDuffie and defensive lineman Jack Heflin are inactive.
Pregame
Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields is set to return from a two-game absence because of cracked ribs. And his receiving corps gets a boost with Allen Robinson set to come back from a hamstring injury.
The Bears need all the help they can get to break a losing streak against the Packers that reached five games in October. The Bears last beat the Packers in 2018 and haven’t won at Lambeau Field since 2015.
“(A win) would be everything,” said defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, who won’t play Saturday because of a lingering ankle injury. “It would recharge our season. The things that have happened we can’t take back. We can’t change the outcome of the games that we’ve played thus far. But it says something about a person, it says something about a team about how you finish. And how you play those games that are supposed to mean the most. And so that would be everything for us to go out here and get a W this weekend.”
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who improved to 22-5 against the Bears in October, didn’t practice Wednesday and Thursday and was limited Friday as he tries to heal a broken left pinkie toe. But he is expected to play.
Injury report
Nick Foles is in line to be the Bears backup quarterback after Andy Dalton was listed as doubtful because of a left hand injury. Dalton didn’t practice all week.
Outside linebacker Cassius Marsh is out with a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve, and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin is listed as doubtful as he continues to recover from a foot injury.
Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (ankle) and defensive back Teez Tabor (illness) were ruled out Saturday.
Defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. (ribs) is listed as questionable after practicing in full Friday.
The Bears called up Bruce Irvin and Charles Snowden from the practice squad to boost the linebackers group.
For the Packers, left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) and wide receiver Randall Cobb (core) have been ruled out. Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (illness) is questionable.
Miss anything this week? Catch up before tonight’s kickoff (7:20 p.m., NBC-5).
- 5 things to watch for as the Bears visit the Packers, including Justin Fields’ first game at Lambeau Field — plus our Week 14 predictions
- Column: The Bears’ QB situation entering 2022 will look similar to 2018. With 5 games left, Justin Fields has an opportunity to provide optimism for the future.
- Aaron Rodgers says he has no regrets about his ‘I own you’ comments. But does it still rankle the Bears as they prepare for a rematch against the Packers?
- Bears rookie Teven Jenkins is ‘trusting the process’ in his return from back surgery. For now, that means learning behind veteran Jason Peters.
- Column: Justin Fields is set to return against the Packers — and the rookie quarterback is in search of a little respect for the Bears
- 4 things we learned from the Bears, including Allen Robinson’s plan to return and Aaron Rodgers’ nagging toe injury
- The Bears and Packers have played 203 times in the past 100 years. Here’s the history of how the rivalry has unfolded each decade.
- Bears Q&A: How long will a rebuild take to become a playoff contender? Why didn’t the NFL flex Bears-Packers out of Sunday night? And have we seen the last of Allen Robinson?
- Robert Quinn now credited with a sack of Kyler Murray in Sunday’s loss, giving the Bears pass rusher 12 for the season
- Donovan Raiola, the Bears assistant offensive line coach, leaving the team for a job at Nebraska
Catch up on the latest Arlington Heights news.
- What would a potential new Bears stadium in Arlington Heights be like? Here’s a look at the 7 newest NFL stadiums, from capacity to best amenities.
- What are the costs if the Bears bail on Chicago for Arlington Heights?
- The Arlington Heights Bears? Here’s what to know about the team’s possible move from Chicago’s Soldier Field.
Source: Berkshire mont
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