Matt Eberflus Addresses Injury Update as Bears Prepare for Jaguars Game

Injury Update from Matt Eberflus

WARE, United Kingdom – The Bears could be down two starting defensive backs Sunday when they face the Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Safety Jaquan Brisker has been ruled out of the game and did not travel with the team to the United Kingdom due to a concussion he suffered in last Sunday’s win over the Panthers. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is listed as doubtful after being unable to practice Friday with a calf injury he sustained in Thursday’s workout.

“It was just a plant, point and drive,” said coach Matt Eberflus. “He felt something in his calf. We took him out of practice there. He’s been rehabbing it the last so many hours since it happened, and we’ll see where it goes.”

Preparation of Elijah Hicks and Jaylon Jones

Elijah Hicks is expected to replace Brisker. Selected by the Bears in the seventh round of the 2022 draft out of California, Hicks has appeared in 37 games with eight starts in three seasons, compiling 68 tackles, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Six of his starts came last season in place of the injured Eddie Jackson.

Defensive coordinator Eric Washington expressed confidence in Hicks, stating: “He is an active learner, which means that when he is backing up Brisker, he’s preparing himself as if he was going to start… I have the utmost confidence in him.”

If Stevenson cannot play, he will likely be replaced by Jaylon Jones, who is in his third season with the Bears after joining the team in 2022 as an undrafted free agent from Mississippi. Jones has appeared in 38 games with four starts and recorded 74 tackles, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one tackle-for-loss.

“He’s played for us a bunch and he’s one of those guys like Elijah that’s been in our system,” Eberflus said.

Additional Injury Concerns

Left guard Teven Jenkins is questionable for Sunday’s game with an ankle injury he sustained last weekend against the Panthers. He returned to practice on a limited basis Friday after sitting out Thursday’s workout.

“Teven did a nice job,” Eberflus said. “Today he was limited, but he looked good, and so we’re hopeful there.”

Bill Murray replaced Jenkins in the last game and surpassed expectations during his debut.

Defensive end Jacob Martin has resumed practice but remains on injured reserve, also listed as questionable.

Like Brisker, defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (groin) and cornerback Terell Smith (hip) did not travel to London and have been ruled out of Sunday’s game.