The Chicago Bears are set to play the Carolina Panthers in Week 5 in game that does feature a revenge game possibility for Panthers' quarterback Andy Dalton but could serve as the return game for Velus Jones Jr.
Since Jones fumbled a kickoff during the Bears' season-opening victory over the Tennessee Titans, the former third-round pick hasn't been active on gamedays. Jones' streak of being inactive could change on Sunday.
Among the Bears' players who did not practice on Wednesday was wide receiver DeAndre Carter. Since Jones' miscues to open the season, Carter has had a hold on being both the kickoff and punt return specialist for the Bears.
If Carter is unable to play on Sunday, it will be curious to see if Jones gets the nod. Of course, if Jones is skipped over, then there would need to be a discussion of what he is still doing on the Bears' 53-man roster. The argument could be made that the Bears should have cut Jones after Week 1, but if he doesn't play in place of an injured Carter on Sunday, then the first question that will need to be answered is why he is still on the roster.
#Bears Wednesday Injury Report pic.twitter.com/83OcF7V4BQ
— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) October 2, 2024
Chicago Bears injury report for Week 5
Teven Jenkins was also unable to practice on Wednesday due to a rib injury. Remember back to the offseason when Jenkins mentioned that the Bears were tabling contract negotiations until the bye week? The indication was that the Bears were waiting to see if Jenkins could prove that he was not only able to stay healthy but be a force on the offensive week. Through the first four weeks of the season, Jenkins has been neither of those things.
Outside of Jenkins and Carter, the Bears' injury report contains no real surprises. However, with Zacch Pickens, one must now wonder why the Bears did not place him on injured reserve. Pickens is entering the third week of not being able to practice due to his current groin injury.