7 years agoChicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy is optimistic that rookie linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) will be able to play in Week 1 on Sept. 9 against the Packers. The Bears will play it cautious and are likely to keep Smith out of the preseason finale this Thursday, which means he will have missed all five of the team's preseason games. When asked if Smith would miss Week 1 if he misses the final preseason game, Nagy said, "No, I don't think so. I think there's still a good chance there. [It's] day-by-day with him. Right now we've stacked two in a row for the positive, for the good. Let's just keep that thing going. If he's able to play and we feel good about it, trust me, we'll give him an opportunity to get in there." Chicago will still be cautious with Smith moving forward so that he doesn't have a setback. Even if Smith suits up in Week 1, you'd have to expect that he'll be on a limited snap count to open up the year. The rookie has plenty of upside as an every-down linebacker, but his IDP stock in his rookie year has taken a hit with all the time he's missed in training camp and the preseason because of his injury and contract holdout.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBaller
Source: ChicagoBears.com - Larry Mayer