Keenan Allen limited; Bears hopeful he can play vs. Rams
Wide receiver Keenan Allen had limited participation in practice Thursday, but the Bears still hope he will play Sunday against the Rams after missing the previous two games with a heel injury.
Allen has missed six of the last seven games with the injured heel, going back to last season with the Chargers. He reinjured the heel in training camp but played 38 snaps in the Bears’ season opener against the Titans and had four receptions (11 targets) for 29 yards.
His return would be a boon for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who has had Allen, DJ Moore and rookie Rome Odunze on the field at the same time for only 25 of 216 offensive snaps (11.6%).
“It’s great,” Williams said. “It’s going to be great for our offense. It’s just something else that the defense has to worry about throughout this week and then obviously on game day. His special talent of getting open in a phone booth is going to be great for us.”
Injury report
It remains to be seen if the Bears get their Big Three back. Odunze, who missed the Texans game in Week 2 with a knee injury, was limited in practice Thursday with a hip injury.
Right tackle Darnell Wright (back), who did not practice Wednesday, had limited participation. Left tackle Braxton Jones (knee) was limited for the second consecutive day. Guard Nate Davis had full participation after being limited Wednesday.
Defensive tackle Andrew Billings (knee), safety Kevin Byard (back), tight end Marcedes Lewis (rest), defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (groin), cornerback Terrell Smith (hip) and defensive end Darrell Taylor (knee/illness) did not practice.
Jack of all trades
Linebacker Jack Sanborn has only played 25 of 182 defensive snaps (13.7%) because the Bears are in their nickel defense with slot cornerback Kyler Gordon so often, but he has made the most of it.
With a tipped Anthony Richardson pass that was intercepted by Tremaine Edmunds in the end zone against the Colts, Sanborn has four tackles, a sack and two pass breakups.
Sanborn has been productive in every role since making the team as undrafted free agent in 2022. He played 40% or more of the defensive snaps 12 times in 2022-23.
“Everybody wants to be on the field more — probably 97% of this locker room,” Sanborn said. “But it’s the NFL and everybody’s got a role. People are noticing what I’m able to do. But at the same time, a lot of that [playing time] is dictated by what offenses do.
“It would be one thing if we were playing great ball when we’re in nickel — Kyler’s playing great. The entire defense [playing well] is the main goal.”
Snookered?
Daniel Hardy fell for a long snapper’s head bob and was called for a neutral-zone infraction that led to a Colts touchdown. That sometimes is a false start on the offense but not this time.
“We’re always keying the back tip of the ball. We need to key that regardless of any act of gamesmanship that any opponent does,” special teams coordinator Richard Hightower said. “I feel terrible for the kid. Hardy’s made a helluva lot of plays for us. Nobody feels worse than him. I’ve got to do a better job coaching it and we’ve got to do a better job executing it.’’
Ready for anything
Matt Pryor is expected to start at right guard in place of Davis against the Rams but could start at right tackle if Wright can’t play. Pryor started for Davis against the Colts but also played one snap at left tackle when Jones was injured.
“Versatility has been a big foundation in my career,” Pryor said. “I take great pride in being able to move around the O-line. Right now, I’m at guard. [But] I’ll be able to switch out if need be.”