Bears' latest injury report doesn't look good for the secondary heading into Week 6 showdown in London
Leading up to the Chicago Bears Week 6 matchup in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team was already without one key starter in the secondary.Following Friday's practice, things are looking even worse for the unit on Sunday.According to the team's final injury report for the week, starting cornerback Tyrique Stevenson has been listed as […]
Leading up to the Chicago Bears Week 6 matchup in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team was already without one key starter in the secondary.
Following Friday's practice, things are looking even worse for the unit on Sunday.
According to the team's final injury report for the week, starting cornerback Tyrique Stevenson has been listed as doubtful for Sunday's game with a calf injury. Stevenson was listed as limited on Thursday and did not participate on Friday.
The unit was already without one of their more vocal leaders in safety Jaquan Brisker, who did not make the trip to London after self-reporting a concussion earlier in the week. Now, the team could be without Stevenson as well against Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars' passing attack.
On Friday, head coach Matt Eberflus noted that Stevenson injured his calf while planting and driving during practice but isn't ruling him out quite yet for Sunday.
“Again, we’re working through it,” Eberflus said. “He was out today and we’ll see where it goes in terms of the game. We’ll see where it is tomorrow morning and go from there.”
Luckily for the Bears, they have players ready to step up at both positions who already have familiarity in the system on defense. At safety, Elijah Hicks will start in place of Brisker and Jaylon Jones is expected to get the nod if Stevenson can't go. For what it's worth, second-year cornerback Terell Smith, who missed each of the last two games, also did not make the trip to London.
Hicks and Jones have each been with the Bears since Eberflus was hired in 2022. The team's head coach is confident in each player being able to step up and start.
“[Jones has] played for us a bunch,” Eberflus said. “He’s one of those guys like Elijah that has been in our system. He knows it in and out and the coaches have been with those guys and the technique and the fundamentals are there. They are going to stand on solid ground relative to that, and the other guys trust them too because they have been in there and produced and played for us. We feel good about both of those guys.”
The good news for the secondary, they will still have star cornerback Jaylon Johnson on one end and veteran safety Kevin Byard in the back end leading the unit. The bad news, the Jaguars' passing offense is coming off their best game of the season where they totaled 371 passing yards and two passing touchdowns.
It'll be a tough test for Hicks and Jones. Sunday will be Hicks' first start since Week 9 of 2023 and would be Jones' first start since Week 17 of his rookie season. However, both players have gotten plenty of experience since that time coming off the bench.
As for left guard Teven Jenkins, who left the game last week with an ankle injury, he was listed as questionable after returning to practice on Friday. Eberflus added the Bears are going to be "hopeful" about his availability on Sunday. Bill Murray, who played solid in Week 5, would start in his place if Jenkins can't play.
Bears were robbed of a home game to play in London but the team is hoping for a similar environment in Week 6
The fans will have to show out.
