Eberflus gives team injury updates |
CHICAGO - Despite the Bears getting their second win of the season, they continue to be pretty banged up. Quarterback Justin Fields is doubtful for the week eight matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers (7:20 p.m./NBC), head coach Matt Eberflus would not elaborate much beyond that, except for the fact that Fields still does not appear to need surgery.
“(Fields)’s doubtful for this week. He’s working with trainers, continues to progress. He’s just not there yet. Bagent will be our starter until that time he is cleared,” Eberflus said. “Excited for Tyson’s opportunity again this week for him to start in a game.” Offensive lineman Nate Davis has already been ruled out for the Chargers game as he is week-to-week. However, in some positive news, running back Roschon Johnson looks like he should be available in this game, while safety Jaquan Brisker cleared concussion protocol and will be available for Sunday night. The game against the Las Vegas Raiders was another game where the Bears were productive on both sides of the ball. However, with Bagent at quarterback, the ball seems to be getting spread around a bit more, with a total of eight players getting a reception. In addition, the Vegas win was the first game since the season opener where the Bears scored in every quarter; it was the first time of the season, though, where Chicago has scored a touchdown in every quarter. One of the biggest differences has been the run game. Even with the team short of running backs, the Bears have been able to put up strong numbers in the running game, with 173 last game. That effort was led by running back D’Onta Foreman, who had one of the best games of his career with 89 rushing yards and three total touchdowns. As a defensive play caller, Eberflus does take pride in having a good defense. He has been calling the plays since the second week of the season, but things seem to be really clicking for the team in the past few weeks. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson really shined a light on the defensive performance for Chicago with his two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. “(Johnson)’s done everything we’ve asked. He’s been really good in training camp. He’s worked every single day during that process. He’s worked his craft. He’s done a really good job of improving his craft. He’s always been really good in terms of being sticky at the top of routes, being able to close distances and make plays on the ball. Now he’s starting to make those interceptions, which is positive. Obviously, getting takeaways is a big thing and the tackling, the tackling (is) better.” This fourth-year cornerback is reaching the end of his contract, so there have been some talks about whether he will stay with Chicago or if he could get traded by the deadline on October 31. Eberflus declined to comment on the status of Johnson’s contract negotiations. With how he played against the Raiders and his performance throughout his career, he seems like a player the Bears might want to keep around to plan for the future - only if Johnson and the Bears can agree on the right price though.
