Bears rookies impressive, Hicks returns with 2 sacks
Bears head coach Matt Nagy felt that rookie left tackle Teven Jenkins showed progress in Monday night's 17-9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but that the penalties "are hurting."
Jenkins drew one flag for a false start and one flag for holding. He also drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for shoving a Vikings defender after a questionably late hit on quarterback Justin Fields.
"We've got to reduce those (penalties) and limit those, and he will," Nagy said. "He cares. He cares a lot. But technique-wise, fundamentally, I think his confidence, (he's) another young guy that's going to keep getting better and better with the more time he plays."
Jenkins made his first NFL start Monday and saw action at left tackle for the second consecutive game. Jenkins started in place of veteran left tackle Jason Peters, who injured his ankle a week earlier against the Green Bay Packers.
Jenkins wasn't the only rookie making an impact Monday night. Rookie cornerback Thomas Graham, a sixth-round draft pick, might have had the best day of anyone on the Bears defense. Making his first career start after spending the previous 14 weeks on the practice squad, Graham defended three passes and totaled seven tackles. Nagy liked Graham's aggressiveness and his tackling abilities.
Graham hadn't played in a meaningful game since 2019 after opting out of the 2020 season last year at Oregon.
"He's a guy that's had success in college," Nagy said. "Then coming here and getting an opportunity against some good wide receivers and a good offense, that's only going to make him better. I just think it's great for him. You root for those type of stories, and he has certainly helped himself out with being able to play more."
The team announced Tuesday it signed Graham to the 53-man roster outright. The Bears waived outside linebacker Ledarius Mack, Khalil Mack's brother, to make room for Graham on the active roster.
COVID updates:
The Bears returned defensive backs Duke Shelley and Artie Burns to the active roster from the practice squad, the team announced Tuesday. Additionally, defensive tackle Bilal Nichols has been placed on the COVID-19 list. Those moves leave the team with 13 players on the COVID-19 list as of Tuesday. It remains unclear when the Bears will have offensive coordinator Bill Lazor and special teams coordinator Chris Tabor back at the team facility. Both missed Monday's game due to COVID-19.
Akiem saying goodbye?
Bears defensive tackle Akiem Hicks had two sacks Monday in his first game since injuring his ankle on Nov. 8. Hicks celebrated his first sack by pointing up into the Soldier Field stands several times.
It seemed to be a thank you to the Bears fans who have supported Hicks over the past six seasons. Hicks' contract with the Bears will expire after this season and it doesn't appear likely Hicks and the team will come to an agreement on a new deal.
"When you're out there making those plays, you're helping out the second level, you're helping out the third level," Nagy said. "He's done that his entire time here in Chicago. We appreciate that, we know that, and I think you felt that last night."