For the Chicago Bears, all eyes stay on the damage standing of quarterback Justin Fields, who remains to be coping with a separated left shoulder and has but to be cleared for full participation in apply.
Fellow quarterback Trevor Siemian, who began Sunday in opposition to the New York Jets, sat out Wednesday’s apply with the indirect damage he suffered in pregame warmups final weekend. That leaves apply squad quarterback Nathan Peterman because the emergency choice to begin this week in opposition to the Green Bay Packers, with the Bears additionally signing Tim Boyle off the Detroit Lions’ apply squad as a precautionary measure.
Here are 4 issues we realized 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 each stay in concussion protocol for the second consecutive week, nonetheless awaiting clearance to return to the sphere.
“They are in it until they come out,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus mentioned.
Both Brisker and Gordon missed apply Wednesday.
In addition, the Bears positioned security Dane Cruikshank on injured reserve with a hamstring situation and confirmed Eddie Jackson’s foot damage consists of injury to his Lisfranc joint and can finish his season.
Eberflus mentioned the group was nonetheless looking for extra data 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 weekend’s starter at proper sort out. The group claimed Leatherwood off waivers in early September however he has but to see recreation motion.
Leatherwood was a top-20 choose by the Raiders within the 2021 draft however was reduce earlier than the common season.
“We are excited and intrigued to see where it goes,” Eberflus mentioned. “Because he’s a heck of an athlete at that position. And we’ll see where it goes from there.”
At 3-9, the Bears’ damage points and ongoing roster exercise stay notable. The group elevated undrafted rookie security A.J. Thomas to the energetic roster Tuesday and signed veteran defensive again Adrian Colbert to the apply squad. The Bears additionally signed defensive lineman Andrew Brown off the Arizona Cardinals’ apply squad for added depth.
In different damage information, receiver Chase Claypool (knee) and cornerback Kindle Vildor (ankle) had been restricted in apply. Dante Pettis (sickness) didn’t take part.
2. Lost within the blowout loss to the Jets was the encouraging efficiency of rookie operating 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 reception from Siemian. The rookie from Appalachian State left MetLife Stadium feeling energized.
“It definitely felt good to contribute,” he mentioned. “This was my third opportunity to get in a game and 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’ method and talent to deal with no matter has been thrown at him has impressed Eberflus.
“He’s an explosive athlete,” Eberflus mentioned. “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 this weekend in opposition to the Packers.
3. Without his favourite receiver Darnell Mooney, Fields will probably be challenged to develop heightened chemistry with the remainder of his receiving corps.
Mooney’s season-ending ankle damage opens the door for each Claypool and Byron Pringle to see elevated motion. It may also be fascinating to trace the manufacturing of Equanimeous St. Brown, Dante Pettis and Velus Jones.
Before Wednesday’s apply, Fields expressed eagerness to check a few of the group’s different cross catchers.
“I think it’s an opportunity,” he mentioned. “I’m excited to build that connection more with other receivers on the team. I think it’s going to be fun finding out what different guys can do.”
4. With excessive winds, the Bears took apply indoors to the Walter Payton Center.
With their common Wednesday concentrate on first and second down, Eberflus determined apply situations for passing can be higher inside than amid the 20 mph winds that had been swirling across the out of doors apply fields.
“We want to be able to execute,” Eberflus mentioned. “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 what we can.”
As of now, Sunday afternoon’s forecast at Soldier Field requires sunny skies, highs within the higher 30s and reasonable winds. Eberflus mentioned the Bears had been hopeful to apply open air on Thursday and/or Friday.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com