Chicago Sun-Times

URBAN IS SHREDDING QUITEAPREC­EDENt

- BY MARK POTASH mpotash@suntimes.com @markpotash

In a reserve role, Bears defensive tackle Brent Urban has made a name for himself.

“Mr. GuitarRock-Out Solo” iswhat teammate Akiem Hicks called him after his air-guitar celebratio­ns following a sack of Colts quarterbac­k Philip Rivers on Oct. 4 and a tackle for loss against the Buccaneers last week.

The 6-7, 300-pound Urban, who signed with the Bears last season after being cut by the Titans, is making the most of a niche role in a top-10 defense. He also had a pass breakup against the Falcons in Week 3. But it’s his celebratio­ns that have caught people’s attention.

“I kind of had that in my back pocket,” said Urban, who started 19 games in four seasons with the Ravens after they drafted him in the fourth round in 2014. “I’m a bigenergy guy. Especially with no fans, I’m trying to make it fun and have my teammates feed off me. I’ve got a couple more celebratio­ns in the back pocket here. But that’s one I definitely wanted to show.”

Urban said he was channeling Duane Allman, the Allman Brothers Band guitarist who died nearly 20 years before Urban was born. Urban also celebrated the tackle for loss against the Bucs with a point to the sky, a tribute to

Eddie VanHalen, who died the previous day.

“My favorite guitarist is Duane Allman. I’m a huge fan,” Urban said. “I don’t know if he played as crazy as I was celebratin­g, but I get a little juiced up. So if I could mimic one, it’d be him.”

As for football, Urban is valuable in a pinch-hitter-type role — able to make an impact in limited reps in a rotation with Hicks, Bilal Nichols, Roy Robertson-Harris and

Mario Edwards.

“It’s great,” Urban said. “I think you need a great rotation of D-linemen to be successful in this league, and I’m just thankful to be on this team. I’m in a spot where they can count on me in tough situations in the game to produce, and there won’t be a drop-off when Akiem, Bilal and Roy come off the field.”

Jenkins back

The Bears activated defensive tackle John Jenkins off injured reserve and listed him as questionab­le for Sunday’s game against the Panthers. Jenkins tore a ligament in his thumb against the Giants on Sept. 20.

Panther ADDED TO COVID-19 list

The Panthers put backup center Tyler Larsen on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list Friday. He played five snaps on special teams last week against the Falcons, who put one of their defensive linemen, Marlon Davidson, on the same list Tuesday. Davidson played 12 snaps on defense and five on special teams in that game.

Bush out

Safety DeonBush (hamstring) is out for Sunday. Specialtea­ms ace Sherrick McManis (hamstring), Urban (shoulder) and guard Alex Bars (shoulder) are questionab­le. All three participat­ed fully in practice Friday.

 ?? JONATHAN DANIEL/GETTY IMAGES ?? Bears defensive tackle Brent Urban joins Eddie Jackson (39) and Danny Trevathan in bringing down the Buccaneers’ Rob Gronkowski.
JONATHAN DANIEL/GETTY IMAGES Bears defensive tackle Brent Urban joins Eddie Jackson (39) and Danny Trevathan in bringing down the Buccaneers’ Rob Gronkowski.
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