It looks increasingly likely the Bears will play without star wide receiver Allen Robinson on Sunday against the Saints. Robinson missed practice again Friday because of a concussion he suffered Monday against the Rams.
Wide receiver Allen Robinson, the Bears’ top playmaker the last two seasons, also did not practice this week because he is in the concussion protocol. The team initially listed him as questionable for the game, perhaps revealing a flicker of optimism within the organization, but revised the injury report because NFL policy requires that any player who is out all week be tagged doubtful.
There’s no template for recovering from a concussion, but it seems highly unlikely Robinson would be cleared to play less than a week after sustaining one. Nonetheless, coach Matt Nagy said he intends to wait until the last possible moment to see Robinson is available.
“If he’s able to pass through it and everything is good to go, of course we want him to be out there,” Nagy said. “It’s kind of out of our hands.”
The Bears are required by the NFL to provide an update if there’s any change in Robinson’s game status between now and kickoff.
Robinson has been the team’s best offensive player the last two seasons and hasn’t missed a game since Week 17 of the 2018 season. He is eighth in the NFL in catches (44) and ninth in yards receiving (544). He has 26% of the targets, and no other Bears player has 30-plus catches or 240-plus yards.
Losing him would be a tough blow for an offense that ranks 27th in scoring, 29th in yardage and 24th in passer rating.
The Bears have other concerns as well.
The team ruled out center Cody Whitehair — its best offensive lineman — on Friday after missing practice all week because of a calf injury. Sam Mustipher, who has played two games in his career, is expected to start in his place.
Pass-rushing star Khalil Mack (ankle) was back Friday after missing two practices, and the Bears listed him as questionable.
Safety Eddie Jackson was limited much of the week with a knee injury, and running back Cordarrelle Patterson practiced Friday after missing two days. Both are expected to play Sunday.
