Matt Eberflus Faces Challenges as Chicago Bears Deal with Injuries and Controversy

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is navigating a series of challenges as the team prepares to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. The Bears received bittersweet news on the injury front, with starting cornerback Tyrique Stevenson ruled out due to a calf injury sustained during practice late in the week. This marks the first game of the season where a member of the Bears’ starting secondary will be unable to play.

In addition to Stevenson’s absence, safety Jaquan Brisker will also miss the game due to a concussion suffered in the previous week’s win over the Carolina Panthers. Brisker did not travel with the team to London. The injury to Brisker was particularly contentious, as it resulted from a helmet-to-helmet collision with Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble, who was later fined $17,083 by the NFL for the uncalled penalty.

Eberflus expressed confidence in the team’s depth, highlighting the preparation of backup players. “The coaches do a great job of getting guys ready to go at every position,” Eberflus said. “If it’s nickel, outside corner, strong safety, free safety, we always have a couple of guys ready to go there because when something like this happens, you’re ready and you’re not trying to teach guys things. Technique and fundamentals, assignments and all that. They already know that, and our coaches do a really good job with that and our players do a great job staying prepared and staying ready).

The Bears will start Elijah Hicks at safety in place of Brisker and Jaylon Jones at cornerback in place of Stevenson. To bolster the secondary, the team elevated safety Tarvarius Moore and cornerback Ameer Speed from the practice squad).

On a positive note, left guard Teven Jenkins, who had been questionable with an ankle injury, will play and start for the Bears, providing a significant boost to the offense and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams).