Bears Place Akiem Hicks on Injured Reserve

Elbow injury will keep Bears from bringing Pro Bowl defensive end back until late in the season.

It's going to be at least eight weeks before the Bears see Akiem Hicks in uniform in a game again.

The Bears put Hicks on injured reserve Tuesday and hope to recall him to the 53-man roster later in the season if his injury is healed enough.

The Bears didn't talk specifically about the nature of the injury suffered against Oakland, although it appeared to be his left elbow.

"I really don't even know exactly what the details of it," coach Matt Nagy said when asked about it on Monday. "He was hurt pretty good."

Hicks tweeted about the injury:

"My injury in London was unfortunate and frustrating. But it’s apart (sic) of the game. Thank you for all the well wishes. I love representing this city as a Chicago Bear!"

He added a Bible verse: "I can do all things through him who gives me strength."

Hicks had a right knee injury and missed the game with Minnesota, then returned against Oakland only to suffer the arm injury. He had six tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery this season and would have been facing one of his former teams when the Bears play the Saints on Sunday.

My injury in London was unfortunate and frustrating. But it’s apart of the game.Thank you for all the well wishes. I love representing this city as a Chicago Bear!#Phillipians4;13

— akiem hicks (@The_Dream99) October 13, 2019

Hicks made the Pro Bowl for the first time last year when he had 7 1/2 sacks and 55 tackles, including 12 for loss.

The Bears hope to get defensive end Bilal Nichols back this week from a broken hand, but he'd be wearing a cast on his hand.

"He's been out a couple weeks, so now it's just the ability for him to show probably more conviction than anything," Nagy said. "He has that cast on him, but he has the fingers that he's able to use. Again, if you're able to be out there and you're able to suit up and go out there, then to me let's go."

Guard Alex Bars was promoted to the regular roster from the practice squad to help with the injury situation that landed Kyle Long on season-ending injured reserve.

To replace Bars on the practice squad, the Bears have signed former Packers and Raiders outside linebacker Fadol Brown. Last year Brown played in four games with Green Bay and eight with Oakland.

Twitter@BearsOnMaven