The Chicago Bears will be down two starters when they visit the Washington Commanders in Week 8. Safety Jaquan Brisker and nickelback Kyler Gordon will miss the contest.
It is the second straight absence for Brisker, who self-reported concussion symptoms after the Bears’ Week 5 win over the Carolina Panthers. Gordon left the Bears Week 6 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a hamstring. In their places, Elijah Hicks at safety and Josh Blackwell in the slot.
Both recorded takeaways in the Bears’ win over the Jaguars. That is why Jaylon Johnson has confidence in them.
Jaylon Johnson Name-Drops Aaron Rodgers While Praising Bears Teammates
Jaylon Johnson Touts Bears teammates Elijah Hicks, Josh Blackwell
“Extreme confidence,” Bears All-Pro Jaylon Johnson told Clocker Sports during his postpractice media availability on Friday. “I feel like, again, those guys played against Aaron Rodgers when we played against Packers when we held them under 200 yards. I think it’s nothing new for me. I’ve been with those guys for three years now.
“I’m extremely confident [in Blackwell and Hicks]. Used to communication, used to going out there competing, battling with those guys. It’s not too much of a difference to me”
The Bears lost that Week 13 matchup versus their most heated rival. They blew a 13-point, second-quarter lead to lose 28-19. Surely they will be hoping for better results this weekend versus the Commanders, even if they have to give up more than 200 yards in the process.
Blackwell joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2022 while Hicks was a seventh-round pick in the draft that year. They have played in 70 games and logged 920 defensive snaps between them.
The Bears could catch a break in Week 8 with Commanders QB and rookie No. 2 pick Jayden Daniels a game-time decision after practicing one day this week.
Jaylon Jones Talks Bears’ Secondary Depth
The Bears were without starting cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and backup Terell Smith versus the Jags, leaving special teamer and former undrafted free agent Jaylon Jones to start opposite Johnson on the outside.
Jones held his own, and he said he always prepares like he is starting with the reps that he gets in practice, staying ready until his number gets called.
Before that, he finds motivation from the players ahead of him succeeding.
“Just belief in myself,” Jones told Clocker Sports on Friday. “We got a Group A good group of guys. But I definitely know I belong out there too. And just knowing my role on this team right now, it’s not my role to be starting. But whenever my name is called, I’m gonna always be ready. Be ready to compete and make plays.
“Just seeing them make plays while I’m not starting while they are, I’m happy to see that. Then the stuff I’m doing at practice, I’m sure will come to light in the game one day.”
Like Bears defensive passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Jon Hoke, Jones appreciates the depth the team has in the secondary. He said it is not like anything he has been a part of, even at lower levels.
“To be honest, not really, and it’s honestly pretty cool,” Jones said. “Because when you see guys – we got such a deep group – when you’re saying guys make plays, it’s making you want to go out there and make plays. So I think it’s keeping everybody competitive in the room, which we are already. But like I said, you see somebody get a interception, you want to get one or you. See somebody strapping somebody or getting PBUs [pass breakups] all day, you want to make the same thing.
“We just have this competitive nature. But we’re all trying to outdo each other for the great thing – the greatest thing – and that’s winning. So at the end of the day, this is the best group I’ve been a part of.”
Velus Jones Jr. Posts on Instagram After Release
The Bears announced a pair of roster moves on Friday, releasing fullback Khari Blasingame and waiving wide receiver-running back Velus Jones Jr. Blasingame was a free agent signing in 2022 while the Bears drafted Jones in the third round of the 2022 draft.
Blasingame has played in two games this season, while Jones played in one before familiar issues maintaining possession of the ball led to his being made inactive on gamedays.
Jones shared a pair of motivational posts to his Instagram stories after the move.
It is unclear if the Bears planned to bring either player back, either on the practice squad or after their matchup versus the Commanders. They could use the roster spots for callups with Brisker and Gordon out. They will have Johnson, Smith, and Stevenson at outside corner, so depth elsewhere like the defensive line may be needed.
