Bears defensive tackle Eddie Goldman is back on the mend, and it doesn’t appear as if he’ll be ready to face the Giants on Sunday.
Goldman missed his second practice this week Thursday after re-injuring his left ankle against the Buccaneers. He initially suffered a high left ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Eagles and missed six games. Coach John Fox said that Goldman’s current injury involves the same ankle.
Losing Goldman for any amount of time again is unfortunate. He was impressive in his return, sacking Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston for a six-yard loss and making four tackles, including one for a loss.
Overall, Goldman was on the field for 31 defensive plays before exiting. He said after the game that he also suffered a stinger.
“Eddie did well,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “He did even better than I thought he would coming off the ankle [injury], and then he nicked it or whatever happened late in the game, [which] was a setback. But I thought prior to that point, he did well.”
Without Goldman, the Bears are extremely thin on the defensive line. Mitch Unrein (back) hasn’t practiced since last week and top reserve Will Sutton (ankle) was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday.
Rookie Jonathan Bullard is expected to start for the second consecutive week, while veteran C.J. Wilson was signed Tuesday.
“It’s a quandary,” Fangio said.
Howard’s OK
Rookie running back Jordan Howard admitted that he injured his Achilles tendon “a little bit” against the Bucs. But he had full participation in practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
“I’m good now,” said Howard, who also added that he felt tight earlier in Tampa.
The injury report
Right tackle Bobby Massie sat out with his concussion, but his backup, Mike Adams, returned from his illness. Rookie cornerback Deiondre’ Hall (ankle) did not practice.
Seven players were limited: receivers Eddie Royal (toe) and Marquess Wilson (foot), outside linebackers Pernell McPhee (knee) and Willie Young (ankle) and cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (hamstring) and Tracy Porter (knee) and left guard Josh Sitton (ankle).
