It was almost easier for Lovie Smith to list the players who participated in practice Wednesday than those who did not.
Linebacker Lance Briggs (ankle), tight end Kellen Davis (ankle), wide receivers Devin Hester (concussion) and Alshon Jeffery (knee), guard Chris Spencer (knee) and Charles Tillman (ankle) did not practice. And running back Matt Forte (ankle) ”was able to do a little bit, some individual drills,” Smith said.
But the longtime Bears coach provided no further information on the injuries or the prospect that any or all of them would be able to play against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at Soldier Field.
”We’ve never been in this situation very often — haven’t been in it all this year,” Smith said. ”The rest of the guys had to step up, which they did.”
Briggs, Tillman and Kellen Davis are likely to start against the Seahawks. Jeffery is expected to be out at least another week or two after having arthroscopic surgery last week. Edwin Williams is expected to start for Spender. Eric Weems had already been the deep man on both kickoffs and punts even before Hester suffered his concussion.
