Chicago Bears vs Carolina Panthers: Wheaton, Timu, McManis out, Kwiatkoski back

The Chicago Bears are still without Markus Wheaton on offense, but gain back Nick Kwiatkoski on defense.

At this point in the season, no team is fully healthy for any game. For the past few weeks, Bears receiver Markus Wheaton has been out with a groin injury. It’s tough to say, but without the services of Wheaton, the growth of Mitchell Trubisky seems to have stalled a little bit. The coaches are limited every week with the receivers they have to throw to, forcing them to go to the run maybe more than they want.

John Timu, who suffered a high ankle sprain during the teams’ Week 5 loss, will also miss the game against the Carolina Panthers. Timu also missed last weeks game against the Baltimore Ravens. In 3 total games played in 2017, John had totaled 10 tackles, including 6 solo tackles.

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Special Teams star, Sherrick McManis will also be missing the game against the Panthers. Playing primarily on the special teams unit for the Bears, McManis has 16 total tackles. Without him, the Bears will likely be reeling during kickoffs and punts.

It may seem like the Chicago Bears as a whole have been dealing with injuries all season long. The reality is, you would be hard pressed to find a single team who isn’t. There is some good new for the team.

Despite once being thought to be ruled out for the entire season, linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski is returning for a game the Bears need to win if they want to get into the playoffs. Without Nick, the Bears defense has been, let’s just say, not great. Kwiatkoski, who has been out since Week 2 with a pectoral injury, will bring added toughness to a Bears unit that desperately needs it.

Benny Cunningham, useful veteran, and 3rd down pass catcher will also be out again after missing last week with a hamstring injury.

Related Story: The Bears must let Trubisky throw more

The Chicago Bears, for the most part, appear to finally be relatively healthy outside of Markus Wheaton. If the Carolina Panthers come in expecting a win without trying, they could find themselves on the outside looking in after this one.