Cubs News: Eberflus provides injury updates, breaks down offensive line struggles |
CHICAGO - Like Chicago needed any more bad news with the offensive line. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, head coach Matt Eberflus revealed that offensive lineman Teven Jenkins has a “deep thigh bruise” and was unable to practice. This injury has put his availability for the Bears’ game on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts (Noon / CBS) into question.
In addition to Jenkins’ injury, wide receiver Keenan Allen is still unavailable to practice with his heel injury. Running back Khari Blasingame and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens were not able to practice on Wednesday. Six players were limited, including rookie receiver Rome Odunze (knee), guard Nate Davis (groin), and edge rusher Montez Sweat (elbow). To help combat the injuries, Chicago signed rookie defensive lineman DeShaun Mallory to the practice squad. The Bolingbrook native recorded 48 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and two sacks last season with Arizona State. Before that, he played in 23 games in his three seasons with Michigan State. Given the offensive line issues, perhaps the Bears could have used an offensive lineman on the practice squad. This is especially true given Chicago gave up seven sacks last week against the Houston Texans because of what Eberflus referred to as “basics and fundamentals.” “It all comes down to basics and fundamentals, and we got to keep working on that as we go … So, it’s important we (work on) that done today in the individual period and working on that because that’s what wins. Winning habits wins football games,” Eberflus said. “Everyone saw that the protection broke down at the right tackle. But, that comes down to fundamentals. You look at the play, it comes down to fundamentals. It comes down to a good kick. It comes down to keeping your inside foot up. It comes down to being patient and then working your protection and that’s where it was.” Part of having a rookie quarterback is building chemistry between the quarterback and the center. This is vital to being able to read defenses and protect the quarterback from being under constant pressure. However, that process also broke down against the Texans. “Making the communication at the line of scrimmage is really the center. (Center Coleman Shelton) does a lot of that along with the quarterback. So, (they) work in conjunction with each other,” Eberflus said. “If it’s working the run game one direction or the other, if it’s working the protection one way or the other and that’s pretty much what you’re doing. You’re looking for looks and again, they rely on each other in that. So, it’s really both guys.” Chicago’s offense is not all doom and gloom. After having only 93 passing yards in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams nearly doubled that against Houston with 174 passing yards. He also had a 62.2 percent completion percentage. Furthermore, Williams had 44 rushing yards, making him the Bears’ leading rusher thus far this season. “I believe that we got better last week in terms of rhythm, timing, passing, distributing the ball to the skill,” Eberflus said. “Now, we’re working (on the) run game, all the other games that come off of that, and we’re a work in progress, and I believe in the coaches, and I believe in the players, and the guys are working to get that done.” This coming Sunday will be the first time Eberflus faces the Colts since becoming the head coach of Chicago after serving as their defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021. While Indianapolis had strong run defenses under Eberflus, that is not the case for the Colts now, as they have the worst rushing defense in the league, giving up 353 rushing yards through the first two weeks. Therefore, this game could help the offensive line and the run game get back on track.
