LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- In the early days and weeks of training camp, the Bears have taken a cautious approach with veteran players in order to preserve their legs and health for the regular season.
That has been the case for 31-year-old pass rusher Robert Quinn, who missed a portion of training camp with a back issue and now has an ankle injury. As the Bears held practice Tuesday morning at Halas Hall, Quinn was working in a corner with the team's training staff.
"It's football, you get banged up here or there," Bears coach Matt Nagy said. "We want to make sure we're smart, get him to Week 1, because there's another guy that's pretty motivated right now."
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Quinn's latest setback is concerning in particular because of his poor 2020 season, the first of a five-year, $70-million deal that he signed with the Bears.
Quinn missed the majority of training camp in 2020 with a foot issue, then was held out of the Bears' regular-season opener due to an ankle injury. He recorded just two sacks in 15 games and ranked 67th in performance among the edge rushers in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. The Bears hoped Quinn could complement star pass rusher Khalil Mack. Instead, he played only 51% of Chicago's defensive snaps in 2020.
Making no excuses, Quinn set his sights on a fresh start in 2021.
"I get the opportunity to reprove myself," Quinn said. "Earn the respect -- or however you want to say it -- from the guys. Make sure I don't disappoint them with this season like I did last year."
This is a new season for Quinn, but it could produce similar struggles. He hasn't ranked inside of Pro Football Focus' top 40 of all edge rushers since 2015, when he ranked eighth. (Quinn posted 11.5 sacks in 2019, though he ranked 46th in PFF's ratings.)
At the least, the Bears are better equipped to replace Quinn or make him a rotational pass rusher this season. Veteran linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu joined the Bears on a one-year deal this offseason. The team is also counting on second-year linebacker Trevis Gipson to do more, and he has made considerable progress.
"Trevis has grown up tremendously as far as just fundamental things, playing the run, playing the run a little more physical, definitely getting off the ball and playing the pass," Mack said. "He's doing the small things very well, but it's up to him to take that next leap. Looking forward to seeing him grow even more from where he's at right now."
Added Gipson: "Everything has just slowed down as the years go by."
In the meantime, Quinn will continue to work on getting himself healthy while the Bears seek to solidify their depth on the edge. Nagy and the team believe Quinn will benefit from a lighter workload leading up to the regular season.
One way or another, Quinn will prove what he has left in the tank.
News & notes
Bears star defensive lineman Akiem Hicks left practice during the stretching period Tuesday morning. The team didn't provide an update on why he didn't return.
Second-year tackle Badara Traore was carted off from practice with a knee injury, the team said.
The Bears' injury report otherwise remained unchanged, with linebacker Danny Trevathan (knee), linebacker Roquan Smith (groin), guard James Daniels (quad) and offensive tackle Teven Jenkins (back) among those being held out of practice.
The Bears waived wide receiver Justin Hardy, cornerback Michael Joseph and outside linebacker Ledarius Mack on Tuesday, bringing their roster to the 85-man limit.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
