EXTRA POINTS
Newcomer Brown fits in
Plan on seeing more of tight end Daniel Brown over the final five games. He has assumed the pass- catching role left by injured starter Zach Miller. That means he’ll get playing time in 11- personnel ( one back, one tight end, three receivers), in the red zone and in two- minute drill situations.
Logan Paulsen remains best suited as an in- line blocker, while undrafted rookie Ben Braunecker requires more work.
“[ Brown is] a guy that has a skill set probably closet to Zach at this point to plug and play,” offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. “Obviously, you don’t replace Zach but everyone — Ben, Logan, Daniel — kind of takes their small role in that.”
Brown, who was claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 24, had three catches for 24 yards and a touchdown last week in the loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Brown’s 49 snaps also were more than Paulsen’s and Braunecker’s combined last week.
Washington vs. Bullard
Rookie defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard gets plenty of attention, but fourth- year veteran Cornelius Washington has played more and has taken advantage of Mitch Unrein’s three- game absence because of a back injury.
Bullard made his first career start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but Washington started the previous two games against the Titans and New York Giants. In those three games, Washington has been on the field for 108 plays compared to Bullard’s 71.
A sixth- round pick out of Georgia in 2013, Washington intrigued former Bears general manager Phil Emery because of his athleticism, but he didn’t have a set position. Washington ( 6- 4, 292 pounds) added nearly 30 pounds to handle end/ tackle in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s 3- 4 defense.
“[ Washington’s] been doing fine,” Fangio said. “He’s taken advantage of [ the playing time] and really improved as a defensive lineman.
“Is he where he needs to be, totally? No, but from where he was in his career to where he is now, he’s made a lot of improvement.”
Shaking up special teams
Losing starting inside linebackers Danny Trevathan ( injured reserve) and Jerrell Freeman ( suspension) in consecutive weeks meant adjustments not just on defense but also special teams. Special- teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers can’t rely on Nick Kwiatkoski or John Timu much this week because they’ll be starting for Fangio’s defense. Rodgers is therefore thankful that Jonathan Anderson is back on the active roster. Anderson made the first 53- man roster but was waived and then spent time on the practice squad from Sept. 28 to Nov. 23.
“In terms of a core linebacker on fourth down in this league, you’re looking for guys with the size and speed element,” Rodgers said. “That’s who he is.”