Week 16 updates: RB D’Onta Foreman inactive for the Chicago Bears today versus the Arizona Cardinals

The 5-9 Chicago Bears are playing the 3-11 Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field in a Week 16 matchup.

Here’s what you need to know.

• 5 things to watch in the Bears-Cardinals game — plus our Week 16 predictions

Bears wide receiver DJ Moore was hurt on Justin Fields’ first pass of the day but returned later in the first quarter.

He stayed down for a couple of minutes while trainers tended to him and then walked off the field and headed to the injury tent.

He returned to the bench after his time in the medical tent, and trainers tended to his right ankle. He didn’t join the Bears offense on the start of its next drive but was on the field for Justin Field’s 3-yard touchdown run for the first score of the game.

The key play on the 74-yard drive was Fields’ pass to tight end Cole Kmet for a 53-yard reception.

The Bears will be without running back D’Onta Foreman on Sunday against the Cardinals.

Foreman missed practice Thursday for personal reasons and was listed as questionable to play. Coach Matt Eberflus was vague when asked Friday whether Foreman would be available, and the Bears announced he is inactive.

The Bears will rely on running backs Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson with Foreman out.

Tight end Cole Kmet is active after dealing with a quad issue during practice last week.

The Bears previously declared out left guard Teven Jenkins, wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown and linebacker Noah Sewell. Safety Quindell Johnson and quarterback Nathan Peterman are also inactive.

For the Cardinals, wide receiver Marquise Brown, cornerback Garrett Williams, linebackers Tyreke Smith and Victor Dimukeje, offensive linemen Carter O’Donnell and Dennis Daley and tight end Travis Vokolek are inactive.

Bears quarterback Justin Fields runs the ball in for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Lions at Soldier Field on Dec. 10, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Here we are again, Chicago, in the home stretch of another losing Bears season with quarterback uncertainty swirling. Justin Fields has three games remaining in his third season and, quite possibly, in his time with the organization.

Here is our ranking of every NFL start Fields has made — 1 to 35.

• True or false: Bears QB Justin Fields’ inability to close will accelerate his exit from Chicago
• 5 things we learned from the Bears, including Justin Fields and Jaylon Johnson addressing their uncertain futures

Credit Jaylon Johnson for acknowledging the elephant in the room — and finding a way to use it as motivation from the beginning.

Johnson is the rare NFL player who will emerge a big winner for betting on himself and playing out his contract. He’s not alone, but in an era when teams are motivated to give early extensions with the idea of saving a little money and players love to cash in as soon as possible, Johnson is three games from completing the four-year, $6.46 million contract he signed after being drafted in the second round in 2020.

What’s next for Johnson? Read more here.

• Bears get an early start on offseason to-do list: Kicker Cairo Santos agrees to a 4-year, $16M extension

Crews demolish the grandstand and surrounding structures at the former Arlington International Racecourse on Sept. 25, 2023, in Arlington Heights. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Another Bears season is drawing to a close with no breakthroughs in sight for a new stadium — but those involved on all sides say they’re working on it. And a new draft document among the team and Arlington Heights officials suggests potential progress.

Last month, the village held an online meeting with the Bears to discuss a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, according to documents the Tribune obtained through a Freedom of Information request.

The online gathering included invitations to Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren and general counsel Cliff Stein, along with Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes and other village officials. Read more here.

• The grass is greener at Soldier Field — and that’s great for the Bears. Here’s how ultraviolet lights have helped.

Playing on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day has been a possibility for the Chicago Bears only since the 1980s.

Why? From the league’s start in 1920, the NFL season consisted of fewer regular-season games and its championship usually concluded before or avoided altogether the December holidays.

That changed in April 1971, when it was announced four playoff games would take place on Dec. 25-26. This arrangement — with two games each day — meant all four games could be broadcast nationally. As the holidays drew nearer, however, fans became vocal.

“I enjoy football, but is it really necessary to play on Christmas Day?” an angry caller told Joe McGuff, then the sports editor for the Kansas City Star. “This is a religious day, a family day. But apparently it makes no difference to the people who run professional football.”

The Bears played on Christmas Eve for the first time in 1989 and Christmas Day in 2005. Read more here.

• The NFL’s oldest rivalry continues Sunday at Soldier Field. A look at the rivalry that started in 1920.

• Bears’ evaluation of ‘ascending’ LT Braxton Jones will play into offseason moves — and his test against Myles Garrett was big
• Bears Q&A: Which direction will they go at left tackle? What are the most important factors in the Matt Eberflus decision?
• Can an improving Bears defense provide an emphatic finish to the season? 12 numbers and nuggets for Week 16.
• The chip on T.J. Edwards’ shoulder remains 5 years later — and he’s using it to drive his productive Bears season
• Photos: Bears players surprise employees — and travelers — at O’Hare Airport
• Column: A ‘nightmare’ 2023 for Chicago sports included some memorable moments on TV and radio

Originally Published: Dec 24, 2023 at 6:00 am

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