Chicago Bears star linebacker Roquan Smith missed Sunday’s Week 4 win over the division rival Minnesota Vikings after being mysteriously placed on the team’s inactive list. Smith was practiced all week and was never on the injury report, but 20 minutes before the inactives were released he was downgraded to doubtful.
Then, the news surfaced that he was inactive and the team is reporting it was due to a “personal issue.”
But while reporters continue to search for more information regarding what kept Smith out of action, Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy is being very vague and it appears that the issue could keep Smith out of action for a while.
“Again, he’s completely a personal issue,” Nagy told reporters. “For us, it’s something that we’re gonna leave it at that right now.”
According to ESPN reports, Smith had not been acting like himself around team facilities throughout the past week and he was displaying erratic behavior. ESPN’s Dan Graziano echoed those comments during an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up on Tuesday morning.
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Chicago’s vagueness is also concerning. Despite the questions that would ask, Nagy would not expand on his comments.
Was Smith involved in an illegal incident over the weekend?
“Personal issue,” Nagy replied.
When will you decide if Smith travels to London for the Raiders game?
“Again, personal issue,” Nagy said.
“It’s completely a personal issue,” Nagy said. “I’m not going to answer any more about it. That’s where it’s at right now. I understand where you all are coming from, but out of respect to this right now, I just want to leave it at that.”
Roquan Smith starred at the University of Georgia where he was an All-American, Butkus Award winner, and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He went on to become the No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Since suiting up for the Bears, Smith has continued to excel. Just 19 games into his professional career, Smith has 126 tackles, 5 sacks and 1 interception.
We hope that Smith is able to sort out whatever issue is keeping him off of the field.
