Bears defensive back Deon Bush, offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons on COVID list

The Bears placed two players on the reserve/COVID-19 list while the team was in Nashville, Tennessee, this weekend.

Defensive back Deon Bush and offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons went on the reserve/COVID-19 list within a span of 12 hours prior to Sunday's loss to the Titans. The Bears currently have four players on the list.

Coronavirus cases across the country have continued to rise, and the NFL is no exception. As many as half the league's 32 teams are dealing with positive cases this week. Going on the reserve/COVID-19 list does not necessarily mean a player has the virus, it could mean they were a close contact with someone who does.

If the Bears flew to Nashville with an infected person on one of their airplanes (they've been taking two planes this year in order to social distance), that obviously has to create a heightened awareness among players and staff.

"Yeah, that is a huge concern," receiver Allen Robinson said. "I know when you see stuff like that, it's definitely not the best feeling at all. Again, being on the plane, being around that person, whoever was around him, that's definitely something to think about. I was just talking to some of the guys, that's something that guys are talking about. It is a cause of concern."

The Bears canceled practice Thursday following a positive test from center Cody Whitehair. The team was in the NFL's intensive protocol all week, which means players head directly home after practice and conduct meetings virtually.

That will certainly remain the case ahead of next week's game against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football.

"It's not an excuse, but it's reality," linebacker Danny Trevathan said. "We can't budge, we can't lose focus. We've got to be prepared for anything in crazy times like this."