CRISIS MODE AT CORNER
Injuries are forcing younger players to take huge role vs. Pack
Bears cornerback Jacoby Glenn is a young player in a rut. And defensive coordinator Vic Fangio likely knows it.
After winning the starting job in preseason, Glenn was demoted after his struggles in coverage and with tackling.
Can Fangio trust Glenn — who has been penalized three times for defensive holding and once for pass interference — on the field?
“Well, you know, we have to,” Fangio said this week.
Fangio has to because Glenn needs to play. Injuries have ravaged the Bears, and no position looks worse at the moment than cornerback.
The short week doesn’t help starters Tracy Porter ( knee) and Bryce Callahan ( hamstring), who were limited in practice Wednesday after sitting out on Tuesday. They’re officially listed as questionable.
If Porter and Callahan can’t play, the Bears will be without their top four cornerbacks against the Packers.
Kyle Fuller ( he’s on the physically unable- to- perform list after knee surgery) and rookie Deiondre’ Hall ( he’s in a cast after severely injuring his ankle two weeks ago in practice) already are out.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers surely is looking at some favorable matchups. A typical Aaron Rodgers- like beatdown of the Bears would silence his critics for at least a week.
With the Packers often featuring three- receiver formations, Rodgers might be seeing a secondary that includes Glenn, De’Vante Bausby and Cre’Von LeBlanc.
Does Rodgers know anything about them?
“Well, just what I see on film,” Rodgers said. “You have to study all the film you have access to even if you’ve got to go back multiple games to try to find stuff on guys. You have to dive into that preparation even on a short week, and try and pick out anything you can take from that.
“Injuries are a tough part of this game, especially on a short week and playing on Thursday.”
To some extent, it helps that Glenn and LeBlanc have played. In five games, including three starts, Glenn has been on the field for 61.8 percent of the defensive plays. In three games as the top nickel back, LeBlanc has played 67.8 percent of the defensive snaps.
If needed, LeBlanc, who took over at nickel back against the Lions, said he’s ready to move to the outside. It’s where he primarily played for the Patriots before he was waived and claimed by the Bears.
“You’re still a [ defensive back],” said LeBlanc, an undrafted rookie from Florida Atlantic. “You’re still guarding receivers. It’s just different roles and different responsibilities.
“Wherever they need me at, I’ll lock into that position. I’ll give it my all and do what have to do for the team.”
Bausby, who went undrafted out of Pittsburg State last season, was signed to the practice squad last December. He was one of the final cuts in September before rejoining the practice squad.
After getting promoted to the 53- man roster on Oct. 10, Bausby made his defensive debut on Sunday, replacing Porter for three plays when the Jaguars ran out the clock for their victory.
LeBlanc and Bausby fit Fangio and secondary coach Ed Donatell’s demands for physical, aggressive play.
“[ Donatell] put a little more bump into my press [ coverage],” said Bausby, who is 6- 1. “And it’s been working.”
It better if he plays. Rodgers is overdue for a big game, and the Bears might be the ideal opponent for it.
“I’m ready to showcase my talents,” Bausby said. “I’m a product of Ed and Vic. I’m ready to show the world what they’ve been grooming me to be.
“Whenever my number gets called, I’m going to be ready to step out on the field and go hard.”
They say they’re ready for the real Rodgers to show up.
“You don’t go into the game and think just because he’s having a bad season I’m going to go in without preparing hard enough,” LeBlanc said. “I’m going to prepare like he’s Aaron Rodgers.”
Follow me at Twitter @ adamjahns.