The Seahawks ruled out linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright — who have five Pro Bowl berths between them — because of injuries Saturday, clearing the way for Bears running back Tarik Cohen to try to exploit the players who take their place Monday.
How many chances will he get? Coach Matt Nagy has a limit for how often he wants to play the 5-6 Cohen, but he knows to strike when he does.
‘‘I think if you ask any defensive coordinator — if they’re shooting you straight — I think they’ll tell you that there’s a sigh of relief when he’s standing on the sideline,’’ Nagy said.
Cohen played 40 percent of the Bears’ offensive snaps in their season opener against the Packers. He ran five times for 25 yards and caught three passes for 16 yards, but he was unimpressive in the second half (two rushes for five yards and two catches for eight yards).
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Nagy liked seeing his new toy in person.
‘‘It creates mismatches because he’s a double-edged sword,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘He can run the ball up in the ‘briar patch,’ and he can take it outside and run with any DB.’’
Receiver Taylor Gabriel, the Bears’ other speedster who has served as a mentor to Cohen, said it was thrilling to see Cohen play a regular-season game in person.
‘‘For him to make those plays is always exciting,’’ said Gabriel, who played 86 percent of the Bears’ snaps and caught five passes for 25 yards. ‘‘To have us on the field at the same time, I feel like it brings different matchups. I’m excited to get to ‘Monday Night Football.’ ’’
