Eberflus says starters will play against Bills, updates team injuries |
LAKE FOREST, I.L. - After not playing any of the starters in their first preseason game against the Houston Texans, head coach Matt Eberflus said the Chicago Bears will play their starters in their second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Sat. Aug. 10 (Noon / NFL Network).
“We’re playing the ones in the Buffalo game. So, we’re excited about that; guys are juiced about it in terms (of) we have a really good plan and a good process for that, and we have a range of plays that we feel (are) going to be good for those particular groups. I’m not going to get into talking about numbers, but we want to see a good flow and a good rhythm to it,” Eberflus said. “But, the starters that are available to us will play on Saturday and really, we just got to really focus on now that preparation you have before the game. So, that’s what we’re mocking this for, getting ourselves ready to play a game in the preseason. So, the 48-hour preparation that we need to do (to) get our bodies right, get our minds right, do the walkthroughs.” This, of course, includes rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. The Heisman winner has yet to see any NFL action but will get a chance to do so against the Bills, who could certainly play their starting defense given they are starting their franchise quarterback, Josh Allen. “This is (Williams’s) first time in live action. He’s been getting a lot of good reps with our one defense. So, I think it’ll feel similar to him. But, I really feel that when it’s live there in the pocket to be able to maneuver in the pocket, ride the pocket, escape either on the outside, B gaps, all those things and be able to deliver the ball, keep his eyes downfield and really just the operation of it, getting in and out of the huddle, no pre-snap penalties, just (a) clean operation,” Eberflus said. “He’s right where he needs to be right now. He’s having some good days, some good periods, and then some other ones that he’s learning from, adversity and a setback, and I told him to just lean into that. So, when you have a setback or have adversity, don’t shy away from it. Lean into it and then learn from it and then get better from it because a lot of people want to hide and shrink away from adversity. That’s not what we do. We lean into it and get better from it, invest our time (growing) and (improving), and that’s what he’s been doing.” One starter who may not be available is offensive lineman Nate Davis who continues to struggle with injuries. He would typically play right guard, but Ryan Bates, who is also in the running for starting center, has been playing a bit in that role during training camp because of Davis’ absence. It would not serve as a surprise to see that during the Buffalo game. “He came back. We had him back in there. It was individual, and (there were) some reps, and then he felt it again,” Eberflus said. “So, he’s dealing with some soft tissue stuff, and so, we had to bring him back down and take him out. So, again, we’ll start that process over, and we’ll see where it goes.” Numerous injuries in the first half of last season held Chicago's defense back. Unfortunately, they may be having that problem again. Cornerback Kyler Gordon, who missed four games last season after breaking his hand, is injured once again. He most likely will not be one of the starters available for the Bills game. “It’s a work in progress. We’re getting close. We feel good where he is, and again, this is something that in training, that he did, and then (he) just kind of came in with it,” Eberflus said. “So, we’re just kind of making sure that it’s right, and there’s a delicate balance here because we have to make sure it’s right but also, he’s working hard, diligently, to get back because we know we have to have that conditioning level, the playing with the other players in terms of the continuity for that unit to be able to thrive the way we want him to. So, we have to get him back as soon as possible. He understands that. He’s working to get there.” The preseason game against the Buffalo Bills will offer the first true opportunity to see what Chicago’s new offense will look like, as it will be the first time they play together in an actual game and against a different defense. Buffalo’s defense is a tough opponent to start with. Last season, they were No. 3 in the league in interceptions and allowed the second-least passing touchdowns.
