Bears Anticipate Being Nearly Fully Healthy for the Opening Game
Several teams that employ a 3-4 defensive scheme might be eyeing former Bears defensive end Trevis Gipson, who amassed 10 sacks over his last two seasons. Possible suitors could include Minnesota, the L.A. Chargers, and even Green Bay. However, the Bears have decided to part ways with Gipson, as well as with their former starting cornerback Kindle Vildor. These moves signify the continued overhaul of the roster from the Ryan Pace era as the team approaches the regular season.
Head coach Matt Eberflus suggests the team is largely in good health, with the exception of Teven Jenkins, who is still on a week-to-week evaluation basis. "As it stands, everyone appears healthy," Eberflus commented, acknowledging that Jenkins' calf injuries in both legs are an ongoing concern.
Despite the absence of key players like DeMarcus Walker, Nate Davis, Darnell Wright, Jaquan Brisker, and Eddie Jackson during most of training camp and preseason, Eberflus expects them to be available for the season opener against Green Bay on September 10. These absences have prompted questions about the team's HITS principle, raising concerns about whether the team has been practicing too intensely.
Eberflus doesn't believe the team is particularly injury-prone. "We're fairly average in terms of injuries this camp, according to this year's league data," he said. As for Davis, whose commitment has been questioned due to his apparent discomfort with Eberflus' critical coaching style, the coach remains confident. "From what I've seen, Nate is the type of player we want; he's committed and shows great intensity," Eberflus stated.
The defense also faces challenges, with Brisker, Walker, Jackson, and middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds expected to return for the Packers game. However, the problem is the lack of practice time these players have had together. Yannick Ngakoue, who joined the team on August 4, has been practicing only sporadically, leaving the team without key defenders like Jackson, Brisker, and Edmunds.
"We've had limited exposure to Yannick in practice," said Eberflus. "Of course, we wish they had been practicing more, but it wasn't meant to be this training camp."
Cornerback Kyler Gordon remains optimistic about the team's defensive chemistry. "I have no real doubts about our ability to mesh as a unit," he said. "From what I've observed, everyone brings something unique to our defense, and I'm confident in the players we have."
| POLL | ||
30 AOUT | 27 ANSWERS Bears Anticipate Being Nearly Fully Healthy for the Opening Game Will the Bears beat the Packers in week 1? | ||
| Yes | 21 | 77.8 % |
| No | 6 | 22.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
