Cubs News: Eberflus provides injury updates ahead of Panthers game |
CHICAGO - Injuries have been a problem for every team throughout the league. Going into their Sunday matchup against the Carolina Panthers (Noon / FOX), head coach Matt Eberflus said that left guard Teven Jenkins and wide receiver/kick and punt returner DeAndre Carter are currently questionable for the game.
Defensive lineman Zacch Pickens and defensive back Terell Smith have already been ruled out. “(Jenkins) was limited (on Friday, but he) looked good, and then (Carter), the same thing, looked good. He was limited but progressing in the right direction. We’ll see where that goes here in the next 48 hours,” Eberflus said. “Just pain tolerance, torque, and movement. That’s really about it, but we’ll see where it goes.” Chicago’s offense has struggled to find its rhythm and be consistent so far this season. But, at home against the Los Angeles Rams last week, that seemed to change as they finally got things going on the ground with running back D’Andre Swift. Second-year back Roschon Johnson also saw some action, getting his first touchdown of the year against Los Angeles. Still, he has only played 25 percent of the offensive snaps, so there is room for improvement. Nonetheless, Eberflus maintains that the team is taking steps in the right direction as it continues to develop its continuity. “I think a big step in the right direction last week (with the continuity),” Eberflus said. “That was really good to see that, them running the football and protecting a little bit better and I think it’s just that, having the same continuity there, working through with a young quarterback and other new skill positions. So, I think it’s just time on task, and it’s going to keep improving every single week.” Something about playing at home seems to help foster that improvement all around. Johnson has only scored touchdowns at home, showing his success when playing at Soldier Field. The Bears have a seven-game home winning streak overall, which is the longest active home winning streak in the league. Eberflus attributes this streak to the fans and said the players are excited to play in front of a home crowd for the second week in a row. “Looking forward to this competition for us to be (able to play) a second week in a row in Soldier Field in front of our fans, so excited about that part of it. I know guys like playing at home and are excited about that part of it,” Eberflus said. “The fans, being at home, being comfortable. That’s really what it is. Guys are just executing at a high level there. So, it’s good to have that home advantage.” When they face Carolina on Sunday, there will be a familiar face on the other team—quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton was the quarterback for Chicago back in 2021 when Justin Fields was a rookie learning from him. Now, he is with the Panthers, trying to teach Bryce Young how to lead an offense and generate some efficiency for Carolina’s offense despite being down their best receiver in Adam Thielen (injured reserve). Nonetheless, Eberflus has taken note of the consistency and veteran presence Dalton has brought to their offense. “Just consistency. You can see the execution at a high level,” Eberflus said. “They’ve had really good numbers the last two weeks when he’s been in there, and that’s no surprise because you have a veteran quarterback that’s operated in a lot of different offenses and certainly knows this one being there and you just see the continuity, consistency, accuracy, everything you’d expect from Andy and a veteran quarterback.”
