As the Bears prepare for a crucial Week 11 matchup against the Vikings, Chicago has ruled out one of their key linebackers.

Edge player Jonathan Greenard has been out with a shoulder injury and was unable to practice Friday as the Vikings head into the Bears game shorthanded

Minnesota’s quarterback J.J. McCarthy will play Sunday against the Chicago Bears after being cleared from the injury report, while key teammates Jonathan Greenard and Ryan Kelly remain sidelined.

The Bears right now are in playoff contention, but are they the real deal? They are coming off two weeks of comeback victories in which they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 47-42, and then rode a tremendous close to secure a wild 24-20 victory against the New York Giants last week.

McCarthy has struggled in the passing game, and Jefferson has shown some frustration of late. Can they get it rolling against the Bears?

Ahead of the contest against the Bears, Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be good to go for the crucial division game.

The Chicago Bears (6-3) and the Minnesota Vikings (4-5) faceoff this Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Plenty on the line in this clash of NFC North rivals. The result will go a long way towards deciding if the Bears are contenders for a playoff spot and if the Vikings can get into the race in a competitive NFC North.

The Asante Samuel Jr. sweepstakes have reached a fever pitch for the Minnesota Vikings ahead of a pivotal rematch with the Chicago Bears this week. Samuel has visited the Vikings and three other teams, but his potential comeback tour continues with a visit to the Bears on Tuesday, November 11. Samuel also visited the Green Bay Packers last week.