Bears could be without top playmaker vs. Vikings in Week 12 battle

As his team prepares for a Week 12 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift raised a few eyebrows when he sat out practice on Wednesday because of a groin injury. Well, on Thursday, Swift's status for this weekend became a little more optimistic, but there's still a chance that he could be sidelined against the Vikings.

On their second injury report of the week, the Bears revealed that their No. 1 running back was a limited participant during the team's practice on Thursday. If Swift is limited again on Friday, then his status for Sunday against Minnesota will definitely be in doubt.

If he's unable to play this weekend, then Roschon Johnson will likely step in as Chicago's starting running back. Johnson is in his second season with the Bears, and in nine appearances, he's scored five rushing touchdowns.

Minnesota Vikings TE Josh Oliver misses second-straight practice before Week 12 matchup with the Chicago Bears

While Chicago waits to see if Swift will be able to play on Sunday, it seems likely that the Vikings will be without tight end Josh Oliver for the Week 12 contest.

Oliver sat out Minnesota's practice on Wednesday because of ankle and wrist injuries, and on Thursday, his injuries forced him to not participate in the team's practice once again.

Based on how the Vikings have been dealing with player injuries so far this season, expect them to rule Oliver out for this weekend's matchup against the Bears when the final injury report is released on Friday.

Luckily, T.J. Hockenson has been back on the field with Minnesota for the last few weeks, so at this point, he should be able to help fill the void if Oliver is unable to play on Sunday.

More will be known when the Vikings release their final injury report for Week 12 on Friday, but the chances seem pretty high that the team will be without Oliver in Chicago this weekend.

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