Bears notebook: Kindle Vildor, Duke Shelley could face major test vs. Aaron Rodgers

Cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson (shoulder) and Buster Skrine (concussion) did not practice Wednesday, which could put Vildor and Shelley in the line of fire Sunday at Soldier Field.

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Bears rookie cornerback Kindle Vildor (right) defends Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark Jr., left Sunday at TIAA Bank Stadium in Jacksonville. The Bears won, 41-17.

Bears rookie cornerback Kindle Vildor (right) defends Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark Jr., left Sunday at TIAA Bank Stadium in Jacksonville. The Bears won, 41-17.

Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP

The Bears have survived without cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Buster Skrine the last three weeks, but the prospect of facing Aaron Rodgers without them would present a much bigger challenge for their replacements, rookie Kindle Vildor and Duke Shelley

Neither player participated in Wednesday’s walkthrough at the Payton Center. Johnson has missed the last two games with a shoulder injury he suffered against the Texans. Skrine has missed the last three games with a concussion. 

Johnson, a second-round pick from Utah, had 15 pass breakups in his 12 complete games. He had a tackle for loss and a pass breakup against the Packers on Nov. 29, when Rodgers threw for 211 yards but had four touchdown passes in Green Bay’s 41-25 victory at Lambeau Field. 

“He’s getting a little bit better, but I don’t have any changes [in his status],” coach Matt Nagy said. “He’s day-to-day, and he’s progressively getting better.” 

Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (ankle) and backup safety Deon Bush (foot) also did not participate in practice. 

Massie on the way back

Right tackle Bobby Massie has been “designated for return” from the injured-reserve list, meaning he’s eligible to practice and be activated as early as Sunday’s game against the Packers. That appears unlikely, but it positions Massie to return in the playoffs if the Bears qualify. 

Massie has missed the last eight games after suffering a knee injury on the first series against the Saints on Nov. 1 at Soldier Field.

Rashaad Coward started against the Titans and Vikings before being replaced by Germain Ifedi, who has started for Massie the last five games. 

It remains to be seen if the Bears would want to mess with a good thing after averaging 34.5 points, 159 rushing yards and 396.8 total yards with a revamped offensive line of Charles Leno at left tackle, Cody Whitehair at left guard, Sam Mustipher at center, Alex Bars at right guard and Ifedi at right tackle.

Trubisky: Good Guy

Quarterback Mitch Trubisky won the Good Guy Award, presented by the Chicago chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America, in recognition of his exemplary cooperation in helping reporters do their job. 

Allen Robinson (who won the award last season), Bears media-relations assistant Eric Szczepinski, Tashaun Gipson, Roquan Smith, Nick Foles, Hicks, Johnson and Nagy were among the runners-up. 

Trubisky has been a stand-up guy in handling his media responsibilities in good times and bad not only this season but throughout his four-year career with the Bears — perhaps never more than in his postgame interview after being benched in Week 3 against the Falcons, the lowest moment of his career. 

“It’s an honor,” Trubisky said. “Just looking at the [previous winners] on the plaque, and specifically guys I’ve played with — Zach Miller, Prince Amukamara and Allen Robinson — all are really good friends of mine, people I hold in very high regard. So just to have my name next to theirs, it means a lot to me.” 

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