Injuries Taking a Toll on Bears Defense
The Bears could be digging down into their practice squad for starters at linebacker this week.
Starting linebacker Roquan Smith will be a game-time decision for Sunday due to a hip injury that cost him practice time all week.
Smith is listed questionable for the game but never practiced the entire week.
Coach Matt Eberflus called Smith's chance of playing "51%."
As a result, it's also a tough break for the Bears that the player who backs him up is out.
Linebacker Matthew Adams is the starting strongside linebacker and a backup at weakside, but he has a hamstring injury suffered in practice Wednesday and missed both Thursday and Friday. As a result, he has been ruled out and that means one of two undrafted rookies might start and both could wind up playing or starting.
Jack Sanborn and Sterling Weatherford are the two backup linebackers behind Adams and Smith. Weatherford did not join the team until one week before the regular season.
"Yeah, I think Sanborn is ready. I really do," Ebeflus said. "He's excited to get going. If he gets his chance to play in the games in terms of playing linebacker, I think he's ready to do that. And he's had a good week of practice going."
Eberflus doubts Smith would choose to miss the game if there's a chance he could play, simply because he was a training camp contract holdout who didn't get his contract extension.
"I mean, I think that Roquan’s a pro and when he’s ready to play he’s gonna play," Eberflus said. "And he’s always been that way. And he loves the game of football. So if he’s ready, he’ll be ready."
Linebacker is not the only Bears area of concern on defense.
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson missed practice for the second straight day on Friday and is questionable for the game with a hamstring injury suffered in practice. That would leave the Bears using either Jaylon Jones or Lamar Jackson more in the game if Johnson can't play.
Ruled out for the game already was backup safety Dane Cruikshank, meaning it's likely seventh-round draft pick Elijah Hicks will be active for the first time in his career.
The Bears face another difficult situation at tight end, although there are numbers at the position to address it. Ryan Griffin is out for the game with an Achilles injury after missing a full week of practices. They could have Trevon Wesco on the roster, a former Jets tight end. They also could use undrafted rookie Jake Tonges at the position.
Wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. has gone through two straight practices but it appears less likely he'll be available as he has been ruled doubtful with the hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined throughout the first two weeks and final week of preseason.
Another injury related situation is Lucas Patrick's ability to snap the football. He hasn't played center since July but has been snapping this week at practice after a protective cast was removed following thumb surgery. Patrick split time at right guard with Teven Jenkins the first two games but appears ready to play at center.
For Houston, offensive lineman Austin Deculus (ankle), tight end Brevin Jordan (ankle) and defensive back Isaac Yiadom (thigh) have been ruled out. Starting three technique defensive tackle Malikek Collins is questionable with a knee injury after missing Friday's practice and Wednesday's practice. He did a limited practice on Thursday.
Also questionable are defensive lineman Kurt Hinish (foot) and tight end Pharaoh Brown (shoulder).
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