Bears Virtually Injury Free for Opener

Only one player was left on the Bears injury list for the Packers game after every player practiced on Friday.

Barring any last-minute unforeseen circumstances, the Bears will be without only one player when they host the Green Bay Packers to start the 2023 season Sunday at Soldier Field.

Backup linebacker Dylan Cole is questionable after missing practices Wednesday and Thursday. Cole practiced Friday on a limited basis. He has a hamstring injury and has been on and off the practice field throughout training camp and preseason, as well.

Defensive end DeMarcus Walker and safeties Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker have been removed from the injury report after going through another full practice on Friday. Walker had a calf injury, Brisker a groin injury and Jackson an ankle injury. They had been out during preseason but all have been practicing since Wednesday and doing full practices the last two days.

The mysterious case of starting right guard Nate Davis continues, as the free agent acquisition returned to practice on Friday after missing Thursday for personal reasons. Davis doesn't have an injury that has been reported and has missed practice time off and on throughout preseason and training camp. Coach Matt Eberflus said Davis' absences were all due to injuries except for Thursday's.

The Bears paid $30 million with $19 million guaranteed when they signed Davis. 

Veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis returned to practice Friday after missing Thursday but the 39-year-old former Packers player was not injured and was given a "veteran's day off."  He also is no longer on the injury report.

Eberflus also announced that Nathan Peterman would serve as backup quarterback this week over Tyson Bagent. It wasn't a surprise as he had suggested this earlier in the week.

"We're going to continue to develop both guys and that (backup) could change week to week," Eberflus said.

Bagent will be available only as the emergency quarterback.

Starting guard Teven Jenkins is on injured reserve and is the only starter the Bears will be without in the game. He can't play for at least four games.

Eberflus also said eight defensive linemen will be active for the game and will play in a rotation, but didn't specify the players. After starting ends Walker and Yannick Ngakoue and tackles Justin Jones and Andrew Billings are ends Dominique Robinson, Rasheem Green and Khalid Kareem and tackles Gervon Dexter Jr. and Zacch Pickens. Kareem just joined the team last week.

Green Bay's injury situation is less positive. 

Wide receiver Christian Watss been ruled out with a hamstring injury after missing practice all week. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs was able to practice on a limited basis the last two days after missing the final preseason game and is listed as questionable.

Tackle David Bakhtiari was removed from the injury report so he will start, but hasn't been able to practice all week due to knee issues. Defensive end Rashan Gary (knee) also was removed from the injury report after he went through a limited practice Friday.

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