Wide receiver Keenan Allen had limited participation in practice Thursday, but the Bears still are hopeful he will play against the Rams on Sunday after missing the previous two games with a heel injury.
Allen has missed six of the last seven games with the heel injury, going back to last season with the Chargers. He re-injured the heel in training camp, but played 38 snaps in the Bears’ season opener against the Titans and had four receptions for 29 yards on 11 targets.
His return would be a boon for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who has had Allen, DJ Moore and rookie Rome Odunze on the field at the same time for only 25 of 216 offensive snaps this season (11.6%).
“It’s great,” Williams said. “It’s gonna be great for our offense. It’s just something else that the defense has to worry about throughout this week and then obviously on game day. His special talent of getting open in a phone booth is gonna be great for us.”
Wright limited
It remains to be seen if the Bears get their Big Three back. Odunze, who missed the Texans game in Week 2 with a knee injury, was limited in practice Thursday with a hip injury.
Right tackle Darnell Wright (back), who did not practice Wednesday, had limited participation Thursday. Left tackle Braxton Jones (knee) was limited for the second consecutive day. Guard Nate Davis had full participation after being limited Wednesday.
Defensive tackle Andrew Billings (knee), safety Kevin Byard (back), tight end Marcedes Lewis (rest), defensive tackle Zacch Pickesn (groin), cornerback Terrell Smith (hip) and defensive end Darrell Taylor (knee/illness) did not practice.
Jack of all trades
Linebacker Jack Sanborn has only played 25 of 182 defensive snaps (13.7%) because the Bears are in their nickel defense with slot cornerback Kyler Gordon so often, but he’s made the most of it.
With a tipped Anthony Richardson pass that was intercepted by Tremaine Edmunds in the end zone against the Colts, Sanborn has four tackles, a sack and two pass break-ups this season.
Sanborn has been productive in every role since making the team as undrafted free agent in 2022. He played 40% or more of the defensive snaps 12 times in 2022-23.
“Everybody wants to be on the field more — probably 97% of this locker room,” Sanborn said. “But it’s the NFL and everybody’ got a role. I think people are noticing what I’m able to do. But at the same time, a lot of that [playing time] is dictated by what offenses do.
“It would be one thing if we were playing great ball when we’re in nickel — Kyler’s playing great. The entire defense [playing well] is the main goal.”
Snookered?
Daniel Hardy fell for a long-snapper’s head bob and was called for a neutral zone infraction that led to a Colts touchdown Sunday. That sometimes is a false start on the offense, but not this time.
“We’re always keying the back tip of the ball. We need to key that regardless of any act of gamesmanship that any opponent does,” special teams coordinator Richard Hightower said. “I feel terrible for the kid. Hardy’s made a helluva lot of plays for us. Nobody feels worse than him. I’ve got to do a better job coaching it and we’ve got to do a better job executing it.”
Pryor ready
Matt Pryor is expected to start at right guard in place of Nate Davis against the Rams, but could start at right tackle if Wright can’t play. Pryor started for Davis against the Colts, but also played one snap at left tackle when Braxton Jones was injured.
“Versatility has been a big foundation in my career,” Pryor said. “I take great pride in being able to move around the o-line. Right now, I’m at guard. [But] I’ll be able to switch out if need be.”