Eberflus talks injuries on his team, preparing for two quarterbacks |
CHICAGO - The Chicago Bears were hoping to have safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Kyler Gordon back for their matchup against the Washington Commanders this Sunday (3:25 p.m. / CBS).
Unfortunately, this was not the case as head coach Matt Eberflus said both players have been ruled out. “Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon did not practice again (Friday) and they’ll be out for the game,” Eberflus said. “Still working through both their issues that they have and one’s in (concussion) protocol working through that and then Kyler’s just working through his hamstring. So, we’ll see where it goes. Hopeful for next week, but we’ll see where it goes from there.” In addition to Brisker and Gordon being out, three other players are questionable—offensive lineman Larry Borom (ankle), running back Travis Homer (finger), and defensive lineman Jacob Martin (toe). Notably, numerous players are not on the final injury report. Defensive lineman Zacch Pickens and cornerback Terell Smith are both able to return this week after not playing since September. In addition, long snapper Scott Daly was not given an injury designation. On the other side of the ball, the Commanders also have some injury questions. Three players for Washington did not practice on Thursday - including rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels suffered a rib injury in their win against the Carolina Panthers. However, he was able to practice on Friday, and the Commanders “really pushed it” during that practice, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Regardless of who plays, Eberflus said the Bears are prepared either way, especially because they believe the Commanders will run the same offense with either quarterback in the game as they did against Carolina with Marcus Mariota in for most of the game. “We just prepare the way we prepare and get ready for him to play, and if Marcus is in there, we’re going to play the game still, and that’s really about it - focusing on us, and it’s about us … They believe in their system. It’s very effective and they’re going to use that system,” Eberflus said. “They get their athletes in space, and they do a really good job with that, and they’ve hit some good runs too. They’ve really done a good job with that. They’re top in the league in both run and pass in terms of explosives. So, their scheme has done it and also just putting people in space.” Both the Bears and Commanders have utilized the screen game frequently in running their offenses. For Chicago, the use of the screen game against the Los Angeles Rams is really what got the team going as running back D’Andre Swift had seven receptions for 72 yards in that game. Washington’s top running back, Brian Robinson Jr., has not been as involved in the passing game. That is more running back Austin Ekeler’s department as he ranks third on the team in receiving yards with 201 yards. “Screen game is always about timing. You have to have really good timing on it for the blocks of the linemen up here. A little bit different in college - they can be six or seven or eight, 10 yards down the field. So, that’s a little bit different and then just put your skill in position to make plays,” Eberflus said. “So, you put your skill in the space to make plays and you can do that different ways. Outside tunnel screens, slow screens, slip screens by the tight end, different screens that (every) team utilizes. But, I think you get what you emphasize. If you emphasize and work on the timing of it, I think that’s when it’s good.” Regardless of who the quarterback is, Washington’s top pass catcher is wide receiver Terry McLaurin. In his six years in the NFL, he has worked with a lot of different quarterbacks and thus is very quarterback-friendly. After being a Pro Bowler in 2022, he is on track to perform just about as well as that season. Therefore, it will be essential for Eberflus’s defense to contain McLaurin for Chicago to come out of this game with a win. Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson will probably be on McLaurin most, if not all, of the game.
