Depth to be tested as Bears face Commanders without Brisker and Gordon

The Bears will be short-handed in the secondary against the No. 1 scoring offense in the NFL when they face the Commanders on Sunday at Northwest Stadium, with safety Jaquan Brisker (concussion) and slot cornerback Kyler Gordon (hamstring) both ruled out. Elijah Hicks will start for Brisker, while Josh Blackwell will replace Gordon.

Injury Report

Long-snapper Scott Daly (knee) had full participation in practice Friday and will play Sunday. Defensive end Jacob Martin (toe), running back Travis Homer (finger), and offensive linemen Larry Borom (ankle), who are eligible to be activated off injured reserve, also had full participation and are questionable.

Secondary depth to be tested

The Bears will get another chance to show off their secondary depth, which has come in handy throughout Matt Eberflus’ three seasons, including the Jaguars game, when Hicks had a pass break-up in the end zone and a fumble recovery, Blackwell had an interception, and Jaylon Jones – starting for Stevenson – had a team-high 10 tackles.

But the Commanders’ potent offense, with injured starter Jayden Daniels (bruised ribs) or backup Marcus Mariota at quarterback, figures to be a more difficult test. When Mariota replaced Daniels last week against the Panthers, he threw two touchdown passes in a 40-7 rout.

However, it’s an opportunity players like Blackwell, Hicks, Jones, and Smith cherish. With Jaylon Johnson out last year against the Commanders, Hicks, Jones, and Smith all made impact plays and backup Greg Stroman had an interception in a 40-20 victory.

"It’s always special, I love to be a part of this team," Blackwell said. "You hate to see a guy go down, but it’s an opportunity for me to show that I can play with the defense and hopefully keep rolling with the turnovers and tackles and everything."

Hicks, Jones, and Blackwell have started 15 games in their two-plus seasons with the Bears. Smith, a 2023 fifth-round draft pick, played 50% of the defensive snaps as a rookie.

"I think that says a lot about our depth," Blackwell said. "That’s what’s so special about guys like us. We’ve got a whole bunch of guys who could be starters at other places, so I think it’s special when you have a group of guys that can come together and know their role and make the most of it."

Pickens set to return

Second-year defensive tackle Zacch Pickens is ready to return after he aggravated a preseason groin injury in Week 2 against the Texans.

"It’s been a difficult stretch," Pickens said. "I messed it up the first time but it was nothing crazy. Then I tore it and I was nervous. I didn’t know when I was going to be able to come back. I’m happy now – happy, ready to compete. My main goal is to [compete] in practice and let everybody know what I can do."

Two-way street

The Bears’ defense faces a challenge against the Commanders’ No. 1-ranked scoring offense. But it’s a test for the Commanders’ offense as well, against the Bears’ fourth-ranked scoring defense.

"I know this is a highly rated offense, and they’ve got some guys," Bears defensive tackle Andrew Billings said. "But now it’s time for us to show [something]. We’ve got some guys, too. We’ve got to be who we think we are and do what we know we can do every week … and go out there and execute. I think that’s all we need to do."

Conclusion

The Bears’ secondary will be put to the test on Sunday, but it’s an opportunity for players like Blackwell, Hicks, and Jones to show their value. The Commanders’ offense will be a tough test, but the Bears’ defense is confident in their abilities to keep it in check.

FAQs

• What is the current injury status of Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon?
  Both players are ruled out due to a concussion and hamstring injury, respectively.
• Who will start in place of Brisker and Gordon?
  Elijah Hicks will start for Brisker, while Josh Blackwell will replace Gordon.
• What is the prognosis for long-snapper Scott Daly?
  Daly had full participation in practice Friday and is expected to play Sunday.
• Who is set to return from injury?
  Second-year defensive tackle Zacch Pickens is expected to return after aggravating a preseason groin injury.