By JASON LIESER, Staff Reporter
jlieser@suntimes.com | @JasonLieser
Bears star linebacker Roquan Smith missed his second straight practice Thursday, raising concern about his availability for Sunday’s game against the Texans.
Smith, who played every snap in the first two games, appeared to have injured his hip Sunday night in the loss to the Packers.
Nonetheless, defensive coordinator Alan Williams was optimistic before practice that Smith would be healthy enough to play. Asked if he expects to have him Sunday, he said, “As far as I know, yes.”
Smith, arguably the best player on the roster, would be difficult to replace. Next in line is likely Matt Adams, who has been mostly a special-teamer in his career, but Adams also missed practice with a hamstring injury. After those two, the Bears have undrafted rookies Jack Sanborn and Sterling Weatherford.
Even as he adjusts to his role in a new scheme, Smith leads the Bears in tackles, as he has every season since being drafted No. 8 overall in 2018. However, his multifaceted playmaking ability — a hallmark of his game — didn’t emerge in the first two games. He combined with rookie Dominique Robinson on a sack in the opener and has one pass breakup.
Johnson on the move?
The Bears might need to reassess how they’re using cornerback Jaylon Johnson. He’s their only sure thing at the position, and, somewhat unsurprisingly, opponents aren’t bothering to throw his way.
First, though, the Bears must make sure he can play. Johnson was limited in practice Thursday because of a quadriceps injury. He played 51 snaps in pass coverage over the first two games without a single pass thrown to his man, according to Next Gen Stats.
Meanwhile, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers went at Bears rookie Kyler Gordon 13 times Sunday (10 completions for 140 yards and a touchdown) and Kindle Vildor twice (two completions for 31 yards), according to Pro Football Reference.
Given that Johnson’s coverage skills are a certainty while the rest of the group is unproven, Williams said the Bears are weighing having Johnson shadow the other team’s best receiver, rather than playing almost exclusively on the quarterback’s left side. Texans receiver Brandin Cooks is worthy of one-on-one treatment and leads the team with 11 catches for 136 yards, but he plays inside and outside, so that probably wouldn’t be ideal for Johnson.
Patrick improving
The Bears are being coy about it, but it appears Lucas Patrick is ready to return to center after rotating at right guard the last two games.
Patrick broke his right thumb at the start of training camp, and the Bears wanted to keep him from having to snap the ball until he was back to full strength. He has been snapping in practice. Asked Thursday if he could play center this week, he said, “I’d be confident at any position they put me in.”
Injury updates
The Bears are still waiting on third-round pick Velus Jones, who has limited in practice Thursday, to make his debut as a wide receiver and return man. He was able to practice partially at the start of last week but was out the next two days and inactive against the Packers.
Special-teamer Dane Cruikshank (hamstring) and tight end Ryan Griffin (Achilles) didn’t practice Thursday.
