The Bears need everything to go their way if they’re going to manage Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Sunday, and those hopes are slightly dimmer now that it appears Eddie Jackson will be out.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus labeled Jackson doubtful for the game. He typically puts any player with a reasonable chance of playing in the questionable category. Jackson, a two-time Pro Bowl pick who led the team with four interceptions last season, exited against the Buccaneers with a left foot injury. It’s the same foot in which he suffered a Lisfranc injury that ended his season last November.
At one point against the Bucs, the Bears were down both starting safeties in Jackson and Jaquan Brisker and had only two backups dressed: Elijah Hicks and Quindell Johnson.
Hicks likely would take Jackson’s spot in the starting lineup. The Bears already were missing nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon, who’s on injured reserve and isn’t eligible to return until Week 6 against the Vikings. His backup, Josh Blackwell, missed last week with a hamstring injury but was full go in practice Thursday and Friday and is expected to play.
Regardless, it’ll be a makeshift secondary against a team that led the NFL in passing last season and has the reigning MVP in Mahomes. He’s off to a slow start this season with 531 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions and an 88.1 passer rating, but no one expects him to keep trending that way.
Davis uncertainty
Starting right guard Nate Davis, one of the Bears’ key free-agent pickups, has been in and out while dealing with a death in his family, and that could continue.
Davis is not injured, but he missed practice Thursday and was limited Friday, leading the team to list him as questionable against the Chiefs. Eberflus couldn’t predict when he’ll shift to a regular routine.
“It’s very difficult when you grieve for a loss like that,” Eberflus said. “You can certainly understand and feel that.”
Left tackle Braxton Jones (neck) and left guard Teven Jenkins (leg) are on injured reserve. Ja’Tyre Carter made his first career start against the Bucs in place of Davis.
Chiefs updates
The Chiefs ruled out starting middle linebacker Nick Bolton, their leading tackler, with an ankle injury.
Three other starters are in question: running back Isiah Pacheco (hamstring), outside linebacker Willie Gay (quad) and wide receiver Kadarius Toney (toe). They were limited in practice Friday and are questionable for the game.
Soldier Field burglarized
Chicago Police are investigating the theft of about $100,000 worth of equipment that was stolen from Soldier Field overnight between Wednesday and Thursday.
Soldier Field marketing director Luca Serra said John Deere Gators and ride-along mowers were among the items stolen from a stadium contractor. The equipment did not belong to either the Bears or the Fire, who also are tenants.
Contributing: Patrick Finley
