With undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent making his first start and Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby having his best season, it’s an ideal week for the Bears to get their ground game rolling.
Running was one of the few things the Bears did well last season, when they led the NFL at 177.3 rushing yards per game. But 38% of that production came from quarterback Justin Fields, who won’t be playing.
Neither will top running back Khalil Herbert, who will miss at least the next three games on injured reserve, and promising rookie Roschon Johnson looks unlikely, as well. Johnson remained in the concussion protocol Thursday and didn’t practice, indicating he probably will miss his second consecutive game.
That leaves the Bears with journeyman D’Onta Foreman, followed by recently signed backup Darrynton Evans. They also should get Travis Homer, mainly a special-teams player, back from a hamstring injury. He practiced in full.
Foreman led the team with 15 carries against the Vikings last week and picked up 65 yards; Evans ran nine times for 32 yards.
The Raiders are 19th in run defense, allowing 122.8 yards per game, and are 17th in opponent passer rating at 89.8.
Adams annoyed
The Raiders have plenty of drama swirling, and whichever quarterback they start — Brian Hoyer or Aidan O’Connell — must be mindful of frustrated wide receiver Davante Adams.
Adams had two catches for 29 yards on five targets in the Raiders’ 21-17 win over the Patriots and hasn’t topped 75 yards in a game or caught a touchdown pass since Week 3.
“I expect to put [greatness] on tape and have an influence on the game,” Adams said. “That’s my purpose for being here. I’m not here just to hang out; I came here to win and to do it the right way.”
Adams has 39 catches for 471 yards and three touchdowns.
His comments put the Bears’ defense on alert.
“He’s making it known publicly that he’s not a happy guy,” cornerbacks coach Jon Hoke said. “You always recognize that, for sure.”
Injury updates
Safety Eddie Jackson (foot) and backup offensive lineman Dan Feeney (knee) missed practice Thursday.
Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (back) and backup offensive lineman Doug Kramer (thumb) practiced in full.
Quick hits
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs ran for a league-high 1,653 yards last season, but his average has dropped from 4.9 per carry to 2.9 this season.
“He still runs hard — don’t get me wrong,” defensive end DeMarcus Walker said. “He’s still Josh Jacobs. You’ve gotta tackle him with a lot of might.”
† At 4.2 catches and 40 yards per game, Cole Kmet is on pace for career highs in both categories. If he reaches 700 yards, he’ll be the first Bears tight end to do so since Martellus Bennett in 2014.
† The Bears have 29 sacks over the last two seasons — last in the NFL. Fifteen teams have at least double that number in that span.
