Bears OG Long practices; RB Howard limited

Sep 21, 2017 - 8:31 PM G Kyle Long (ankle) went through a full practice on Thursday (Sept. 21) for the first time since the season started, and has been in successive practices this week. He is expected to play Sunday after he had practiced Wednesday on a limited basis. How he handles practicing this many times in succession will be a key to whether he's able to play all of Sunday's game.

The Bears are in need of Long's return because right guard Josh Sitton hasn't practiced this week due to a rib injury and backup guard Tom Compton is trying to practice despite a hip injury.

Long last played in a game on Nov. 13 against Tampa.

"Our medical people think he's ready, our coaches think he's ready, we'll see how much he can endure, whether we have him with any kind of a pitch count, but right now it's looking very promising," coach John Fox said.

Not as promising: the outlook for running back Jordan Howard, whose shoulder injury permitted only limited practice participation Thursday for the second day in a row. Howard was questionable entering last week's game at Tampa Bay and left Raymond James Stadium with his arm in a sling.

Howard, a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie in 2016, has 22 carries for 59 yards in the first two games of the 2017 season.