The Chicago Bears will be dealing with potentially significant injury issues as they prepare to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Soldier Field.
Per Bears coach Matt Eberflus said starting left guard Teven Jenkins and edge rusher Montez Sweat both will not practice on Wednesday and that starting safety Jaquan Brisker is expected to miss another game on Sunday.
Jenkins, who left last week's loss to the Patriots with an ankle injury, is currently the Bears' highest-rated offensive lineman. He has allowed just 11 pressures this season and is the team's second-leading run blocker.
Sweat, who also has an ankle injury, leads the Bears' defense with 27 pressures. His pass rush win rate is 16.0 percent, which is also the all-time leader among Chicago pass rushers with at least 50 pass rush snaps this season. Since Sweat is primarily a left defensive player, he will face Packers right tackle Zach Tom on Sunday.
If Jenkins can't go, Doug Kramer – who replaced him at left back last week – is expected to start. Kramer allowed one sack and three total pressures over 41 snaps last week against the Patriots.
If Sweat can't go, rookie Austin Booker could get more snaps as the primary defensive end. Dominique Robinson and Jacob Martin will also serve as rotational edge rushers for the Bears.
Brisker has missed four straight games and will miss a fifth time Sunday while he recovers from a concussion. Elijah Hicks is the starter alongside Kevin Byard, Brisker is missing.
Eberflus' team received some good injury news: offensive linemen Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright, who missed last week's loss, are expected to return to practice on Wednesday. So while Jenkins could be in danger of missing Sunday's visit to the Packers, the Bears could return the two booked tackles for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
The Bears have lost three straight games and are moving to a new playcaller on offense after firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The absence of one of their top offensive linemen and one of their top edge rushers could complicate the task of ending the Packers' 10-game winning streak in the rivalry.
Chicago will also be without defensive lineman Andrew Billings and defensive back Jaylon Jones, both of whom are on injured reserve.
The Packers and Bears will release their first injury report of the week later on Wednesday. The final injury report with game status information will arrive Friday afternoon.
