Bears rookie cornerback Deiondre’ Hall has put away his scooter and hung up his protective boot. He can finally play football again after missing six games with a sprained right ankle.
“It’s just getting back in front of somebody,” Hall said.
On Thursday, Hall practiced for the first time since injuring his ankle during the Bears’ preparations for the Colts in Week 5. He was officially listed as limited. Overall, coach John Fox described Hall’s status as “day to day.”
“[The ankle injury] wasn’t too severe, but being out for a while definitely speaks parts to that,” Hall said. “Just getting back healthy is my main focus and has been my main focus the past month and change.
One of the Bears’ three fourth-round picks, Hall admitted that he’ll have some rust to shake off, but he’s also confident in what he did during the first four weeks.
Hall’s height and long arms led to a role in the Bears’ red-zone defense. He intercepted a bad throw by Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in the Bears’ 17-14 win in Week 4. Hall also broke up three passes over the first four games.
“We liked the way he was operating,” Fox said. “Unfortunately, he had that ankle injury, and hopefully we can get [him] out there soon.”
The Bears are unlikely to rush Hall back into action against the Titans on Sunday. But Hall is ecstatic just to be practicing again.
When Hall was injured, he was put in a hard cast and required a scooter to get around for weeks before moving on to a protective plastic boot.
“The scooter was fun,” Hall said. “But the guys got sick of me being on the scooter, having to ask for help.”
Fuller picture
Cornerback Kyle Fuller (arthroscopic knee surgery in the preseason) remains on injured reserve. He did not rejoin his teammates in practice on Thursday.
“He’s been working with our trainers and medical staff and strength staff, but he’s making progress,” Fox said. “He had a couple pretty good days this week and we’ll kind of see where he is [Friday].”
The injury list
Quarterback Jay Cutler (right shoulder), receiver Eddie Royal (toe), left guard Josh Sitton (ankle) and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (concussion) did not practice.
The following 12 players were limited: cornerback Tracy Porter (knee), outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee), defensive tackle Mitch Unrein (back), defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (ankle), right tackle Bobby Massie (concussion), outside linebacker Willie Young (ankle), cornerback Cra’Von LeBlanc (concussion), defensive back Sherrick McManis (neck), defensive back Demontre Hurst (knee), linebacker Christian Jones (ankle/back), receiver Marquess Wilson (foot) and offensive tackle Mike Adams (biceps).
Running back Jeremy Langford returned to practice after dealing with an illness on Wednesday.
