Bears injury report: Allen Robinson returns, Bilal Nichols misses practice

Bears receiver Allen Robinson returned to practice Thursday in a limited capacity, a positive development for the team. Robinson sat out practice a day earlier due to a lingering ankle injury. The injury kept him out of practice last week, too, but Robinson did play Sunday against Green Bay.

The Bears, however, were without several starters Thursday. Return specialist Jakeem Grant (ankle), defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (groin), outside linebacker Khalil Mack (foot), safety Tashaun Gipson (hip) and defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (knee) all sat out practice.

This was the first time Nichols had appeared on the injury report. He was a full participant a day earlier on Wednesday. Mack didn't practice at all last week, but still played Sunday against Green Bay. Hicks played through a groin injury and appeared to aggravate the injury after sacking Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Robinson, inside linebacker Caleb Johnson (knee), tight end J.P. Holtz (quad), receiver Darnell Mooney (groin) and defensive back Duke Shelley (ankle) were all limited Thursday.

The Bears are still without running back Damien Williams and outside linebacker Robert Quinn, who are both on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Wide receivers coach Mike Furrey returned to practice Thursday after missing time due to COVID-19 protocols.

In Tampa, receiver Antonio Brown (ankle), linebacker Lavonte David (ankle), tight end Rob Gronkowski (ribs), outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder/hand) and cornerback Richard Sherman (hamstring) have yet to practice this week.

The Bears and Bucs play at 3:25 p.m. Sunday in Tampa Bay.