Cubs News: Eberflus provides injury updates on his team |
CHICAGO - Head coach Matt Eberflus provided some final injury updates before Chicago’s game against the Los Angeles Rams this coming Sunday (Noon / FOX). The offensive line will be intact with Darnell Wright good to go; Matt Pryor will also stay at right guard despite Nate Davis being taken off the injury report.
“We just liked (Pryor’s) performance last week in terms of the size, the pocket, being firm in the pocket there, and being able to move some people,” Eberflus said. “I thought that was good, and we think that’s a good option for us.” Three players have been ruled out for the game - tight end Stephen Carlson, who Eberflus said may go to injured reserve (IR), defensive lineman Zacch Pickens, and defensive back Terell Smith. Another three players were listed as questionable, including two defensive starters - safety Kevin Byard and defensive lineman Andrew Billings. However, Eberflus is hopeful that both players will be available on Sunday. “We’re hopeful with (Byard) … and the same thing with Billings, sat out the other day. Then, he came back (Friday). He looked good (Friday). But, again, we anticipate him being good,” Eberflus said. “We’ll see where it goes from here. We’re talking about those guys potentially working out before the game, potentially right now. But we can decide that in the next few hours.” With the wide receivers, Chicago received good news: rookie receiver Rome Odunze was taken off the injury report. However, six-time Pro-Bowler Keenan Allen remains on the injury report with his heel injury; he is listed as questionable. However, it appears he will be able to start for the first time since the season opener against the Tennessee Titans. “(Allen) was full (Friday), looked good (Friday),” Eberflus said. “He’s been working back in the whole week, and we anticipate (him being back).” At 1-2, especially after the offensive struggles and miscommunication through the first three weeks, there is some urgency to see the Bears play well on Sunday. Turnovers will be key to this; in the lone game where Chicago did not turn the ball over, they came out with a victory. Eberflus says there is always a sense of urgency as his team recognizes the importance of every game. “I think there’s always a sense of urgency in the NFL. It’s every week,” Eberflus said. “Every one of these games counts, and there’s always a sense of urgency for us to execute and get the job done that week, and if it doesn’t happen like last week, you’re disappointed, and the guys have to learn to be able to move to the next week.” Particularly after the third week of the season, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron came under fire for his poor play calling and a lack of a rushing attack. Running back D’Andre Swift is leading the team in rushing with 68 yards; Williams has 67 rushing yards. The main difference between the two is Swift has 37 attempts compared to Williams’ 11 attempts, showing just how ineffective Swift has been as a rusher. His first three games for the Bears are the first stretch of three games he has averaged three yards or less per carry in his career. In fact, his past two games against the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts mark the first time in his career he has averaged under two yards per carry in consecutive games. While that is certainly on Swift, as well as the offensive line, Waldron is not helping matters with the play-calling. Eberflus maintains that his team is diligent in holding everyone accountable. “I think that’s an important thing, to hold everybody accountable. You look at your performance for what it is, and it’s an after-action review. It’s done in the military. We do that too. It’s really the same type of thing,” Eberflus said. “(We look at) what was good, look at what you need to improve on, and make sure that you take the steps necessary to improve on those things week to week.”
