Soldier on: Bears K Cody Parkey will keep practicing downtown

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Bears kicker Cody Parkey walks off of the field after defeating the Vikings. | Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Kicker Cody Parkey’s practices at Soldier Field are here to stay.

Special-teams coordinator Chris Tabor said Tuesday that Parkey, who kicked in an empty stadium twice last week leading up to the game against the Vikings, will return downtown on weeks the Bears play at home.

Parkey, who hit the uprights four times against the Lions, practiced last Wednesday and Thursday inside Soldier Field. The wind Thursday was similar to the conditions he faced Sunday, Tabor said, giving him a good recall of where to place his kicks.

‘‘I think it helped him,’’ Tabor said. ‘‘It was good.’’

There are mitigating factors to the plan, Tabor admitted, including the fact that weather might mandate the field be covered by a tarp during the week.

Traffic will continue to be brutal. It took Parkey, Tabor, holder Pat O’Donnell and snapper Patrick Scales about an hour and 45 minutes to trek from Lake Forest to Soldier Field last week. The drive home was smoother.

The results, though, are hard to argue with. Parkey made all three field-goal attempts in the Bears’ 25-20 victory Sunday, including a 48-yarder that iced the game.

‘‘He had laser focus, just like he has each and every week,’’ Tabor said. ‘‘It just happened the previous week that the ball hit the upright four times.’’

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Offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich joked Parkey was the most popular guy in town after his showing Sunday, saying he could run for mayor.

‘‘He’d win in a landslide,’’ Helfrich said.

Shaheen, Lynch still out

Tight end Adam Shaheen and outside linebacker Aaron Lynch remained in the NFL’s concussion protocol and didn’t participate in the Bears’ walkthrough Tuesday. Unless they’re cleared Wednesday, they’re unlikely to face the Lions on Thursday.

Shaheen played in his first game of the season against the Vikings. He was activated off injured reserve Saturday.

‘‘That guy, you can see the type of impact he can have,’’ Helfrich said. ‘‘I’m not privy to all the stuff going on as far as his availability, but very excited to have him when we did. He’ll hit the ground running as fast as he can.’’

Lions injuries

The Lions held out running back Kerryon Johnson and receiver Marvin Jones from their walkthrough. Both have knee injuries.

Outside linebacker Ziggy Ansah and defensive tackle Damon Harrison, who have shoulder injuries, would have been limited had the team practiced in full, as would have cornerback Darius Slay (knee) and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson (ankle).

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