Bears receive major news ahead of Monday Night Football
The Chicago Bears received some major news on defense leading up to their Monday Night Football rematch against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12. It was reported by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero earlier today that Vikings All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson will not be activated from the injured reserve for Monday's game. The Vikings had […]
The Chicago Bears received some major news on defense leading up to their Monday Night Football rematch against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12.
It was reported by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero earlier today that Vikings All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson will not be activated from the injured reserve for Monday's game.
The Vikings had until 3:00pm to make a decision regarding Jefferson and the team opted to keep him out for another week. Jefferson will be missing his seventh consecutive game with a hamstring injury.
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus discussed on Saturday how the team will be prepared for whatever decision gets made as it relates to the Vikings top playmaker. The contingency plan was great for preparation but now it will no longer be necessary.
Jefferson missed his first game of the season between the Bears and Vikings back in Week 6 due to the injury. The Vikings still managed to come on top 19-13 in Chicago but things could pan out differently this time around.
The change at quarterback will be the main difference in this matchup later tonight. Back in Week 6, the Vikings started quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has since suffered a season ending injury. The Bears started quarterback Justin Fields, who ended up leaving the game in the third quarter with a thumb injury.
Fields returned for the Bears in Week 11 and has practiced without any limitations all week. The Vikings have turned the keys over to quarterback Joshua Dobbs over the past few weeks of the season following Cousins' injury.
The Vikings have still averaged 254.3 passing yards per game on offense since Week 6 without Jefferson and with Dobbs in the starting lineup during the previous two weeks. The team's top playmakers have been tight end T.J. Hockenson and rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison.
The Bears will officially be a man down in the secondary after ruling out cornerback Tyrique Stevenson ahead of Monday's game. Rookie Terell Smith is expected to start in his place on the perimeter.
The team's defense will still be pleased to hear the good news regarding Jefferson. The Vikings top receiver has totaled 41 receptions for 585 yards and two touchdowns in six career games against the Bears. His absence will certainly not be missed.
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