Vikings make healthy starters inactive — and Bears don’t

MINNEAPOLIS — After maintaining all week they intended to try to win Sunday’s meaningless finale, the Bears made all their healthy veterans active against the Vikings.

The Bears ruled out starting right guard Rashaad Coward out Saturday with a knee problem. Wide receiver Taylor Gabriel and nose tackle Eddie Goldman are out with concussions, while Pro Bowl defensive end Akiem Hicks will sit because of a left elbow injury. Starting right tackle Bobby Massie was ruled out with an ankle problem.

Cornerback Michael Joseph and tight end Bradley Sowell were healthy scratches.

The Vikings ruled out six starters and some of their best players: linebacker Anthony Barr, linebacker Eric Kendricks (quad) and running back Dalvin Cook (shoulder). Second-string running back Alexander Mattison will sit, as will starting tackles Riley Reiff and Brian O’Neill and defensive tackle Shamar Stephen.

Undrafted rookie Alex Bars is expected to start for Coward.