The Chicago Bears have dealt with a number of injuries to the secondary. Now, however, the safety duo of Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker are back together to provide help.
In the NFL, every team has to deal with injuries. It seems, however, that the Chicago Bears go through an inordinate number of injuries season after season. This season is no different.
The Bears have had several offensive linemen, a few running backs, a quarterback, a linebacker, some cornerbacks, and safeties. The trainers have either been earning their money this season or are the reason the players are not in peak shape.
The secondary’s hit was especially rough. Every week it was a different player going down. It is difficult to overcome since the NFL is a passing league. The secondary is under a tremendous amount of pressure week after week. That pressure goes up with injuries.
The last several weeks the Bears had reinforcements come in. This week it is the secondary’s turn to get back to full strength. Cornerback Josh Blackwell was activated from the injured reserve list. He is eligible to play if he is able. So far, he’s had full participation during practices. He is a quality backup and could help the starters.
More excitingly is the return of strong safety Jaquan Brisker. Brisker has been in and out of the lineup due to injuries this entire season. The Bears were excited at having Brisker and free safety Eddie Jackson play together this season. However, they have not played together very much due to injuries.
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Jackson missed a few games with a foot injury. He played last week, recording six tackles. He, however, does not look the same without Brisker on the field with him. Both players complement each other. Jackson can just concentrate on going after the ball with Brisker in the box. With Jackson on the field, Brisker can concentrate on making big tackles and sometimes getting into the opponent’s backfield.
Brisker is excited about getting back on the field with Jackson. After being in and out of the lineup, he missed the last two games due to a concussion. He is now ready to go with his partner, Jackson.
We’ve got to be out there healthy. We’ve got to be out there playing. We get that opportunity this Thursday and hopefully, we’re consistent throughout the year and we do what we do — and that’s fly around, be ballhawks, use us as Swiss Army knives. Get us involved and you’re going to see what’s going to happen.
The concussion Brisker suffered was his second in just his second season in the league. He said he never suffered one in either high school or college. He has also suffered from injuries to his groin and hamstring and had an illness.
When he is healthy and on the field, the Bears like to use Brisker in a variety of ways. He provides run support, occasionally blitzes (he led the defense in sacks last season), and provides some help downfield.
Now that the Bears have Brisker and Jackson together, the goal is to have them stay healthy. They have only played one full game together this season. If the Chicago Bears have any hope of eclipsing last season’s win total and taking a step forward, this duo has to be on the field making plays.