Matt Eberflus on status of Wright, Jones, Sweat against Packers |
CHICAGO - Going into their first division game of the season against the Green Bay Packers this Sunday (Noon / FOX), the Chicago Bears will have some players returning including their two tackles - Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones - who were both out last week.
“Those guys have a lot of experience. They have a lot of continuities there, working with each other, next to each other there, and so, I think it’s important that you have that, and those guys have played well,” head coach Matt Eberflus said. “Darnell’s played well. Braxton’s played well. So, we just got to make sure that the whole group (plays) all together during the course of the whole game.” The offensive line will not be completely healthy. Teven Jenkins had played in every game this season but will miss this coming Sunday with an ankle injury after he could not practice all week. Ryan Bates will be starting in his place at guard. Cornerback Tarvarius Moore (concussion) and edge rusher Montez Sweat (ankle) are listed as questionable. Both could not practice on Wednesday, were limited on Thursday, and practiced in full on Friday. “Teven’s going to be out … Just couldn’t get him through with the ankle, and so, he’ll be out, and we’ll see where that goes for next week,” Eberflus said. “Got a lot of guys coming back though, which is good. On the line and so forth, we got some guys questionable. So, we’re positive about those guys for the game.” Safety Jaquan Brisker took a step in the wrong direction this week. Brisker has not been able to play since Chicago’s win against the Carolina Panthers back in the beginning of October after self-reporting concussion symptoms the day after that victory. On Thursday, the Bears placed him on injured reserve (IR). The earliest he could return is week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings on Mon. Dec. 16 (7 p.m. / ABC). However, at this point, it is a question of whether he will return at all this season. “Brisker went to IR,” Eberflus said. “We tried to get him past the protocol, but he kept having setbacks and we just feel like it’s best for us to take a step back and for him to, it’s always about the player’s health and safety, and that’s why we did it and so, there’s where it is and we’re hopeful that he’ll improve as we go.” The Bears-Packers rivalry is the most historic rivalry in the history of football. This Sunday will mark game No. 207 these two teams have faced each other, including the playoffs. However, this rivalry has been a bit more lopsided in recent years. Chicago has not defeated Green Bay since Sun. Dec. 16 of 2018 when the Bears won the division. The last time the Bears had consecutive wins against Green Bay was the 2007 season when Chicago defeated the Packers in both matchups that year. Eberflus has done poorly against division opponents. But, he has defeated the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings once; Green Bay is the only division opponent the Bears have not beaten during Eberflus’ tenure as head coach. He stated that the Bears are looking to “change history” on Sunday with a win against the Packers. “It’s not where we want it to be. (They’ve) won the last 10 and that’s been stated and we’re looking to change history and that’s an important thing that we rally around and it’s one game for us,” Eberflus said. “It’s one game, but we understand where the history is and we have to be better there and we’ll play on Sunday for three hours and we’re excited about this competition.”
