Packers expect Bears DL Akiem Hicks to play Sunday

The Bears hope Akiem Hicks will come off injured reserve in time for Sunday’s game.

The Packers, meanwhile, are planning on it.

“We’re anticipating him playing,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday. “He’s just a guy that you have to account for on every play. He’s a dominant performer and he has been for a while. Just have to be mindful of where he’s at every time he’s out on the field.”

Nagy’s Wednesday practices this late in the season have a walk-through pace. Hicks participated, though, and the Bears coach sounded optimistic he’ll return from IR. Hicks has been out since dislocating his left elbow in Week 5.

“I think we have a good idea,” Nagy said. “None of this is live, again. None of practice is live … Most of it is just communication with him saying, ‘Hey, this is how I feel,’ Trainers saying, ‘This is where he’s at,’ and then creating a plan if it’s something where, if it’s something we’re going to do — which we’re hoping —— then let’s create a plan for it and roll.”

Hicks would give the team a “huge” emotional lift, Nagy said.

“I think it’s big, just because he’s one of our more vocal guys — in a good way,” Nagy said. “He’s a leader — he’s a natural-born leader. Take the play out and what he does on the field — just rallying the guys this week in practice, being around and then on game day, you guys always see him out there. He’s a guy that gets everyone going.”

Cornerback Prince Amukamara, who missed the Cowboys game with a hamstring injury, is on track to play Sunday after practicing in full.

Defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris and receiver Javon Wims — who suffered foot and knee injuries, respectively, against the Cowboys — sat out of practice.

Inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (elbow), right tackle Bobby Massie (ankle) and tight end Ben Braunecker and receiver Taylor Gabriel (concussions) remain out.