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Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks of the Chicago Bears posted an replace displaying progress he has mad eon his injured elbow.
It appears just like the beast is again. Chicago Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks shared an damage replace accompanied by a video after he missed most of final season attributable to an elbow damage. Hicks missed the Bears’ Week four contest towards the Minnesota Vikings with a minor knee damage, and he went down with an elbow damage the next week towards the Raiders in London.
Hicks missed 11 video games final season after being the epitome of sturdiness his first three seasons with Chicago, beginning each sport for the Bears from 2016-2018. In his 4 seasons with Chicago, Hicks has registered 24 sacks, 39 tackles for loss, 5 compelled fumbles, seven passes defensed, and he has additionally recovered 4 fumbles. To name Hicks a play-maker is a gross understatement — he’s the center and soul of this Bears protection. And now, it’s wanting like he’s feeling like his outdated self once more, which is a superb signal for the Bears and their followers.
Akiem Hicks Posts Bench Press Vid on Instagram
After the Bears’ 2020 common season schedule was launched, Hicks took to social media to share a bit about how his injured elbow is doing, and all indicators look good.
“Schedule launch acquired my elbow feelin higher! Lengthy solution to go however this was my first bench press with no brace so I’m proud,” Hicks captioned, together with a video of him doing stated bench press.
Hicks snapped off a set of eight reps earlier than rising and clapping, clearly hyped. A wholesome Hicks is a superb factor for the Bears to see amidst a season of such uncertainty as a result of he has been the cornerstone of their protection since his arrival.
Akiem Hicks is THE Key to This Bears Protection
GettyChicago Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks injured his elbow towards the Oakland Raiders. He returned towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers for one sport Week 15. (Photograph by Ezra Shaw/Getty Photographs)
Even with Khalil Mack, the Bears took a step again on protection final yr, and Hicks’ absence was the first motive why. Let’s discuss in regards to the run sport first. In 2018, when the Bears had a wholesome Hicks, they ranked fourth in stopping energy runs, they usually ranked 14th in stuffed run fee. However with out Hicks in 2019, these numbers took a nosedive. With Hicks out of the lineup final yr, Chicago ranked 18th in energy run stoppage and 28th general in stuffed runs.
Khalil Mack additionally noticed his manufacturing drop with out Hicks clogging issues up. Mack had 12.5 sacks in 2018, however simply 8.5 final yr. With out Hicks to cope with, opponents determined to key in on Mack, usually double and triple-teaming him, rendering him much less efficient.
Bears’ outdoors linebackers coach Ted Monachino famous final yr throughout Hicks’ absence what the Professional Bowl defensive lineman brings to the desk.
“Akiem calls for consideration,” Monachino stated. “He requires no less than 4 eyes on him. With out push inside — and we’re getting nice edge rushes out of Roy (Robertson-Harris) and out of Bilal (Nichols) … However with out nice push in the course of the pocket, the quarterback is ready to climb the pocket. And when he can climb the pocket, our edge stuff isn’t nearly as good.”
The 2020 NFL season nonetheless stays a little bit of a query mark because of the coronavirus disaster, however how a lot Hicks means to the Bears has by no means been a query. They’ll be past glad to have him again, wholesome and able to go.
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