Smith questionable vs. Saints

The Bears have downgraded LB Roquan Smith (elbow) to OUT for Sunday's game against the Saints. That leaves no clear full-time replacement behind him. It likely means full or near-full playing time for LB Danny Trevathan, though, making him a better IDP option.

Bears LB Roquan Smith was limited in Thursday's practice because of a back issue. That's the 1st injury report of the week for Chicago, which plays Minnesota on Monday night. We'll watch Smith's situation through the weekend to sit if he's in danger of missing Week 10.

Bears HC Matt Nagy confirmed Monday that LB Roquan Smith tore a pectoral muscle in Thursday night's win over the Cowboys and will miss the rest of the season. LB Kevin Pierre-Louis filled in after Smith left that game. He'd likely start next to Nick Kwiatkoski if Danny Trevathan (elbow) remains out this Sunday at Green Bay.

The Bears "fear" LB Roquan Smith suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Thursday night's win over the Cowboys, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Such fears nearly always prove true, so we should expect Smith to miss the rest of the season. Kevin Pierre-Louis filled in and played 63% of the snaps against Dallas, while starter Nick Kwiatkowski elevated from that level to full playing time (96%). He'll become a more solid IDP starter when Smith's injury gets confirmed.

Bears ILB Roquan Smith put in a full practice Wednesday and told reports that he will play Sunday against the Raiders. We still don't know anything more than that it was a "personal issue," but Smith said it's "behind us now." IDP owners should go ahead back to usual treatment of the young LB, who we've added to the Week 5 LB rankings.