While it’s positive that nose tackle Eddie Goldman is practicing for the first time this week since mid-September, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio remains unsure what the 2015 second-round pick will be able to do if he plays.
“He’s still not 100 percent, obviously,” Fangio said Wednesday after practice at Halas Hall. “We’ll see how he progresses [Thursday] and Friday to see if he’s capable of playing.”
The Bears were pleased with Goldman’s efforts in his keeping his weight in check during his extended absence for left high-ankle sprain. But Fangio said he expects Goldman to have some rust. He was officially listed as limited in practice on Wednesday.
Similar to outside linebacker Pernell McPhee’s return, the team could always opt to phase in Goldman with a monitored play count.
In Week 1, Goldman played 56 percent of the defense’s snaps (42 of 75) against the Texans. In Week 2, he was on the field for 38 of the 72 defensive plays against the Eagles before injuring his ankle.
“If he can’t do it at a good practice tempo then he probably can’t do it at game speed,” Fangio said. “So if he’s doing well in practice, and he feels good about it, then we can take a shot with him. If he’s so-so in practice and still hobbling a little bit, then maybe not.”
Martin matters
The Buccaneers’ running game has struggled, but that might change this week thanks to the possible return of starter Doug Martin.
Martin, who rushed for 1,402 yards and six touchdowns last season, practiced for the first time since injuring his hamstring in Week 2.
Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said it was “awesome” to get Martin back at practice, even if he was limited.
The Bears will prepare for Martin to play.
“We obviously got to go back and get his tape because he hasn’t played much recently so he isn’t on a lot of the tape we’re watching right now,” Fangio said. “He’s a very competitive runner, low to the ground, runs hard, runs tough. He’s a good cutter. We’re going to have to get our guys indoctrinated to him if it looks like he will be up for the game.”
Bears matters
McPhee (knee), receiver Eddie Royal (toe), right Kyle Long (triceps), left Josh Sitton (ankle), cornerback Bryce Callahan (hamstring) and cornerback Tracy Porter (knee) were limited in practice.
Cornerback Deiondre’ Hall (ankle) and running back Ka’Deem Carey (illness) did not practice.
