The Bears will once again be shorthanded on the defensive side of the ball on Sunday.

Linebackers Lance Briggs and Jonathan Bostic are listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Patriots. Briggs has a rib injury that's caused him to miss the past two games. Bostic has also missed the previous two games due to a back injury.

Briggs was able to be a limited participant in practice on Friday, but it's clear he's not fully ready to compete yet.

“He’s starting to work his way in,” Bears coach Marc Trestman said on Briggs, via the team's official website. “He got some work today. We know he’s doubtful, but we’ll see where he is over the next couple of days.”

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