This San Francisco 49ers injury could offset Khalil Mack status

The Chicago Bears losing Khalil Mack this week is a devastating blow for a team so reliant on their defense. When you combine Mack’s injury with the fact that Robert Quinn is on the COVID list and Akiem Hicks missed last week, the defensive front really is starting to look watered down as the San Francisco 49ers come to town.

However, good news did come in the wake of the Mack injury. Quinn is expected to be removed from the COVID list before the game, so long as he is healthy and not showing symptoms. Beyond that, Akiem Hicks gave the Bears a limited practice participation on Wednesday. Considering it is so early in the week it could have been anticipated that Hicks would sit, but getting some work this early may mean that he will be back.

Getting Hicks and Quinn would almost offset the Mack injury, but beyond that, the 49ers offensive line has a key injury of their own. Trent Williams, the elite left tackle missed his first game of the season against the Colts. He did not practice on Wednesday, and with an ankle and elbow designation there is a chance he will miss his second straight game.

This could be huge. The 49ers backup is Jaylon Moore, a rookie from the MAC. Moore held up against the Colts, but the Bears could be another beast.

Mack always takes on right tackles, but that leaves Robert Quinn to take on the left side. Quinn has been a legitimate star this year, and has outproduced Mack so far. When Jaylon Moore comes to town it can be argued that Quinn will get one of the easier matchups of his season. At the very least, the long time veteran gets a rookie.

Something tells me Quinn would have something up his sleeve for Moore. Going from a veteran who Quinn has battled with many times, to a rookie that Quinn can take advantage of is game chasing.

The loss of Mack is devastating, but the if the Bears get a healthy Quinn, and he takes on a rookie in Jaylon Moore, it may be enough to offset the pain.