Injury break for Jackson, Jones
WESTFIELD, Ind. — A day after he crashed into Colts receiver Michael Pittman and headed to the sideline, Bears safety Eddie Jackson didn’t practice Thursday. Neither did receiver Velus Jones, who’d made two nice catches on the first day of the Bears and Colts’ joint practices.
Coach Matt Eberflus didn’t offer specifics about the injuries but claimed neither is expected to be long-term. Jackson and Jones, who remained with the team rather than return to Lake Forest, will sit out Saturday’s game against the Colts.
Jones will miss an opportunity to atone for his mistake in the first preseason game against the Titans, when he tried to field a punt on a hop and fumbled the ball away. The Bears had spent all offseason working with him on ball security after he fumbled two punts last season.
Jackson, meanwhile, is the latest defensive player in the injury tent for the Bears, who continued to practice without middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and safety Jaquan Brisker. Defensive end DeMarcus Walker returned to practice for the first time since July 31 but was limited. He said he’s eager to do more drills; on a scale of zero to 100, he declared himself 250.
“I want to see all the gangsters together, with everybody healthy and everybody of one mind,” he said. “One team. One defense.”
Whitehair hurt, Kramer ready
Center Cody Whitehair appeared to injure his right hand early in practice.
He left the field and returned but didn’t participate any further.
With backup center Lucas Patrick still out, Doug Kramer figures to get most of the snaps Saturday. The Hinsdale Central and Illinois alum was a sixth-round draft pick last season but spent his rookie year on injured reserve.
“Kramer does a nice job,” Eberflus said. “Kramer sets the protections. He sets the calls in the run game. Uber-smart. He’s quick, athletic.”
Another new LB
For the second time this week, the Bears used their No. 1 waiver priority to claim a veteran linebacker — this time Davion Taylor, a third-round pick by the Eagles out of Colorado in 2020. The 25-year-old started seven times in 2020 and ’21 and spent last season on the NFC champions’ practice squad.
On Monday, the Bears added linebacker Mykal Walker, a fourth-round pick in 2020 who had 109 tackles for the Falcons last year.
This and that
Rookie Tyler Scott didn’t practice because of an injury apparently suffered Wednesday. Fellow receiver Chase Claypool, running back Trestan Ebner, cornerback Josh Blackwell and linebacker DeMarquis Gates were among the others who sat out with injuries.
♦ Colts defensive end Kwity Paye ,a Michigan alum, said he took pride in chasing down Bears QB Justin Fields, a graduate of rival Ohio State, for a sack Wednesday. “Go, Blue, all the way,” Paye said.
♦ Retired NBA veteran Jeff Teague ,an Indianapolis native who’s now a podcaster, watched from the sideline.
♦ Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, who’s in a contract dispute with the team, remained absent Thursday. With the Colts’ blessing, he left town Wednesday because of a personal matter.