Multiple Bears starters fall victim to ongoing issue within Chicago’s roster hours before kickoff on Sunday Night Football
More key players are getting down with the sickness going into Week 17 matchup against the 49ers.
The Chicago Bears have been dealing with a concerning issue outside the team’s control this week regarding an illness making its way around the locker room.
On the injury report throughout the week, five different players were listed with an illness, and on Friday’s report, one player was ruled out, cornerback Nick McCloud, and two other cornerbacks, Josh Blackwell and Nahshon Wright, were listed as questionable. The other two players (D’Marco Jackson and Devin Duvernay) were off the report going into the weekend.
However, the biggest concern was the sickness spreading even more on the way to San Francisco ahead of Sunday night’s game. In the pictures posted by the team on social media before boarding the flight, you can see players clearly holding masks to wear on the plane as a precaution. It has since been reported that three other starters were added to the report due to illness.
Darnell Wright, DJ Moore, and Olamide Zaccheaus become latest players dealing with sickness
Bears starting right tackle Darnell Wright did not fly with the team to California on Saturday after experiencing illness symptoms and was listed as questionable. On Sunday, the team announced two more players are battling the illness in wide receivers DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus, both of whom are now questionable as well.
It’s since been reported that Wright is now en route to Santa Clara and will be a game-time decision. Wright has been one of the team’s standout offensive players and has played at a level worthy of Pro Bowl consideration, even if he was ultimately snubbed.
The third-year starter has played the majority of the season with a torn UCL in his elbow, and still allowed just two sacks and 18 total pressures while having a top-10 run blocking grade among all tackles with 300+ run blocking snaps this season.
With Wright on the way, the concern switches to Moore, Zaccheaus, and the wide receiver position. The team is already without Rome Odunze, who was ruled out on Friday, but will have rookie Luther Burden III back, along with having Week 16 hero Jahdae Walker available.
“Whoever’s available here on gameday, we’ll look to win with,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said on Friday when asked about the sickness going around. “If a guy can’t go then we’ll be ready.”
So, what will next man up look like at the tackle, WR, and CB positions?
Being such a late situation, the Bears did not elevate any extra offensive linemen before departing but did elevate JP Richardson and Dallis Flowers from the practice squad to help add depth at wide receiver and cornerback.
Depending on Wright’s status, the Bears have just three other players available at tackle in rookie Ozzy Trapilo, Theo Benedet, and Jordan McFadden.
Trapilo has been the team’s starting left tackle over the last five games and continues to impress with each passing game. Prior to Trapilo taking over, Benedet was the team’s starting left tackle from Weeks 6-11 and also started at right tackle in Week 4 in place of Wright before moving to left tackle, opening the right tackle spot up for Trapilo to get his first NFL action.
All that to say, the Bears feel confident in both tackles playing either position if Wright can’t go. Considering Trapilo is coming into his own at left tackle, I’d imagine the Bears keep him there with Benedet moving back over to the right side. As for the sixth offensive lineman, I’d expect rookie Luke Newman to take on that role, or lean into more 2-3 TE sets.
As far as the wide receiver position, the Bears have a ton of confidence in Burden and Walker stepping up as reliable pass catchers alongside tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland. Don’t sleep on Richardson making an impact either, he was another standout in camp who’s been quietly developing on the practice squad.
The cornerback position is the one truly up in the air with Wright, Blackwell, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson (knee) all questionable. The starters on the outside will likely be Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, with Jaylon Jones and Flowers offering some extra depth. If all three are out, the Bears will be severely lacking in the secondary against a top-caliber passing game.
All season long, this team has been prepared for whatever’s been thrown their way injury-wise. And credit to the coaching staff for having any player ready to step up and contribute. We’ll see if they can continue to do so again.
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