For the Chicago Bears, all eyes stay on the damage standing of quarterback Justin Fields, who’s coping with a separated left shoulder and has but to be cleared for full participation in follow.
Fellow quarterback Trevor Siemian, who began in opposition to the New York Jets, sat out follow Wednesday with the indirect damage he suffered in pregame warmups Sunday. That leaves follow squad quarterback Nathan Peterman because the emergency choice to start out this week in opposition to the Green Bay Packers, with the Bears additionally signing Tim Boyle off the Detroit Lions follow squad as a precautionary measure.
Here are 4 issues we discovered Wednesday at Halas Hall.
1. The Bears’ damage points and roster churn go properly past the quarterback place.
Safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Kyler Gordon stay in concussion protocol for the second consecutive week, awaiting clearance to return to the sector.
“They are in it until they come out,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus stated.
Both rookies missed follow Wednesday.
In addition, the Bears positioned security Dane Cruikshank on injured reserve with a hamstring situation and confirmed security Eddie Jackson’s foot damage consists of harm to his Lisfranc joint and can finish his season.
Eberflus stated the staff is searching for extra info to find out whether or not Jackson will want surgical procedure on his left foot.
On the offensive line, in the meantime, with uncertainty surrounding the supply of Riley Reiff (shoulder) and Larry Borom (ankle/knee), the Bears could also be Alex Leatherwood as this week’s starter at proper deal with. They claimed Leatherwood off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders in early September, and he has but to see recreation motion.
Leatherwood was a top-20 choose by the Raiders within the 2021 draft however was minimize earlier than this season.
“We are excited and intrigued to see where it goes,” Eberflus stated. “Because he’s a heck of an athlete at that position. And we’ll see where it goes from there.”
The Bears elevated undrafted rookie security A.J. Thomas to the energetic roster Tuesday and signed veteran defensive again Adrian Colbert to the follow squad. They additionally signed defensive lineman Andrew Brown off the Arizona Cardinals follow squad for added depth.
In different damage information, receiver Chase Claypool (knee) and cornerback Kindle Vildor (ankle) have been restricted in follow. Dante Pettis (sickness) didn’t take part.
2. Lost within the blowout loss to the Jets was the encouraging efficiency of working again Darrynton Evans.
With his first style of prolonged motion on offense, Evans turned 9 carries into 34 yards and added a 33-yard reception on a check-down from Siemian. The third-year professional from Appalachian State left MetLife Stadium feeling energized.
“It definitely felt good to contribute,” he stated. “This was my third opportunity to get in a game, so you definitely cherish the moment and try to make the most of it. My mindset was just, ‘Hey, go do what you do.’ You have to keep that confidence in yourself. They know what I can do.”
Evans’ strategy and talent to deal with no matter has been thrown at him has impressed Eberflus.
“He’s an explosive athlete,” Eberflus stated. “You saw him make that one catch. And he did a real nice job of making the safety miss and taking it down there. We always tell (our guys) to do a good job of falling forward. He did a nice job with that. He did a nice job in protection as well. He knew his assignment. He played fast.”
For Evans, that ought to translate into extra alternative Sunday in opposition to the Packers.
3. Without favourite receiver Darnell Mooney, Fields can be challenged to develop heightened chemistry with the remainder of his receiving corps.
Mooney’s season-ending ankle damage opens the door for Claypool and Byron Pringle to see elevated motion. It additionally can be fascinating to trace the manufacturing of Equanimeous St. Brown, Pettis and Velus Jones.
Before follow, Fields expressed eagerness to check a few of the different cross catchers.
“I think it’s an opportunity,” he stated. “I’m excited to build that connection more with other receivers on the team. It’s going to be fun finding out what different guys can do.”
4. With excessive winds, the Bears took follow indoors to the Walter Payton Center.
With their common Wednesday concentrate on first and second down, Eberflus determined follow circumstances for passing could be higher inside than amid the 20 mph winds swirling across the outside follow fields.
“We want to be able to execute,” Eberflus stated. “And we want to be able to look at what the weather is going to be on Sunday because that’s the most important thing — matching that up how we can.”
As of now, Sunday afternoon’s forecast at Soldier Field requires sunny skies, highs within the higher 30s and average winds. Eberflus stated the Bears hope to follow outside Thursday and/or Friday.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com