Bears Shorthanded on Defense in Two Ways

The Bears on Sunday in Tampa will not have their starting nickel cornerback, probably his backup, or their defensive coordinator for that matter.

Defensive coordinator Alan Williams will not make the trip with the team for personal reasons, according to coach Matt Eberflus. Williams was not at practice on Thursday and also was absent on Friday.

As a result, the Bears will get to experience coach Matt Eberflus doing what he did in Indianapolis. He'll be calling the defenses.

Eberflus left the defensive play-calling duties to his defensive coordinator after being hired and hasn't called them in Chicago as he focuses on the big decisions and running the overall team on game day.

No timetable has been set for Williams' return to the team.

Starting slot cornerback Kyler Gordon went on injured reserve on Thursday due to a hand injury and his backup is Josh Blackwell, who is also injured.

"He had surgery yesterday on his hand," Eberflus said of Gordon. "He did break his hand. As you (media) guys know, he went to IR. We're anticipating if all things go well he can be back after Washington (Oct. 5)."

However, Blackwell did not practice Thursday or Friday after he was limited in practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury. As a result, Blackwell is listed doubtful for Sunday's game.

The Bears had elevated Greg Stroman on Thursday from the practice squad. He has been a slot cornerback in Washington in the past and during preseason in Chicago. He was with the team the last two training camps and preseasons, was waived last year before returning in the final month. He was waived again this year and then brought back to the practice squad before being promoted this week.

It would appear Stroman will be the answer at slot cornerback this week because Eberflus said Friday he would prefer to leave rookie starter Tyrique Stevenson at outside cornerback.

There are no other Bears on the injury report. Linebacker Dylan Cole had been battling a hamstring injury, was waived and then was picked back up and went through full practices Thursday and Friday. He has been pulled from the injury report.

Eberflus said Nathan Peterman would again be the backup quarterback behind Justin Fields, with rookie Tyson Bagent designated the emergency QB.

For Tampa Bay, starting cornerback Carlton Davis (toe), rookie defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (calf) and linebacker SirVocea Dennis (hamstring) are out. Safety Christian Izien (concussion) is questionable.

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