Linebackers banged up

Linebackers Lance Briggs (toe), Pisa Tinoisamoa (sprained knee) and Hunter Hillenmeyer (ribs) all sat out Wednesday’s practice, along with defensive end Alex Brown (sprained ankle).

Running back Matt Forte (knee), defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee), Defensive lineman Israel Idonije (knee) tight end Desmond Clark (fractured rib), long-snapper Patrick Mannelly (arm), and defensive tackle Anthony Adams (knee) were all limited at practice.

Of those who did not practice, Briggs and Brown are expected to start on Sunday against the Lions, and Hillenmeyer has at least a 50-50 chance of suiting up. Tinoisamoa is expected to sit for the third straight week, since that will give him an extra week of healing with the bye following the Lions game.