The most important line on the Chicago Bears' final injury report of the week is the one with nothing after it. Tight end Colston Loveland has been dealing with a neck injury, did not practice on Thursday, and was limited on Friday. But Saturday's report confirmed full participation, simultaneously confirming that he carries no injury designation headed into one of the most important games of the Bears season so far.
Loveland was not on the injury report prior to Friday, which caused a flurry of alarm in the media as it came as a very unwelcome surprise. Neck injuries gets everyone's attention, and they should. But the pattern this week tells the story that Bears fans wanted to hear. Limited on Friday, full on Saturday, and no questionable tag next to his name.
Cole Kmet is on injured reserve with a season ending knee injury, which makes Loveland the only tight end on the team whose receiving yards will make an impact. Rookie Sam Roush has made a cameo or two, but he hasn't made quite the difference that Loveland did during his rookie campaign.
After a quiet start to the season, Loveland looked to be back in form once quarterback Caleb Williams was back under center. Week 7 against New England he went 7 for 12, posting 69 yards and a touchdown.
Ben Johnson's offense asks the tight ends to do everything. From blocking in the league's best rushing attack , working in the middle of the field, and finishing drives. The connection between Loveland and Williams is definitely something real when they're on the field, and the Bears will need every weapon available without the second half of their run game in place.
A limited Loveland would have shrunk the playbook at a time when the Bears need the exact opposite. A full Loveland means the Bears bring their whole offense with them, and lately, more and more Bears games run through their offense.
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This article was originally published on www.dawindycity.com as The Bears got the injury news they needed on Colston Loveland .
