NFL
4 ruled out, 1 doubtful for Jaguars vs. Bears Week 6 in London | Sporting News
There are a lot of question marks surrounding Sunday’s NFL game in London between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears.
A touchdown’s worth, to be exact.
Six total players have been listed as questionable for the 8:30 a.m. (EST) kickoff, including Jaguars tight end Evan Engram and Bears left guard Tevin Jenkins.
MORE: NFL picks, predictions Week 6: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears
Despite practicing in a limited capacity for a second straight week due to a nagging shoulder issue, Jaguars running back Travis Etienne was not given an injury designation for Sunday. He’ll be in the lineup and likely leading some type of timeshare with red-hot backup Tank Bigsby.
As for the rest of Friday’s practice report, there’s a lot to unpack. Here’s a full breakdown:
Jaguars vs. Bears: Full injury designations
Chicago Bears
Out
- S Jaquan Brisker (concussion)
The Bears will be without their starting third-year safety after Brisker was unable to clear the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol. Brisker didn’t log a single practice this week and did not travel with the team to London. Former seventh-round pick Elijah Hicks, who has eight starts in three seasons in Chicago, is expected to start in Brisker’s place.
- DT Zacch Pickens (groin)
Pickens, a third-round pick last season, also didn’t make the trip to London. He’s yet to carve out a significant role on Chicago’s defensive line. Pickens has played just seven defensive snaps this season.
A fifth-round pick who’s more of special teams player for Chicago, Smith’s hip injury kept him off the team plane to London.
Doubtful
- CB Tyrique Stevenson (calf)
This designation is concerning for the Bears. Stevenson, a second-round pick last year who’s been starting on the outside opposite Jaylon Johnson, injured his calf during Thursday’s practice and was held back during Friday’s session. That’s never a good sign for a player’s status heading into the weekend. Former undrafted free agent Jaylon Jones is expected to start in Stevenson’s spot.
Questionable
Jenkins was playing arguably his best game of the season against the Carolina Panthers last week before injuring his ankle. He had an up and down week of practice, suiting up Wednesday before being listed as a DNP on Thursday. He returned to practice on a limited basis on Friday. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters that Jenkins looked good and the team is hopeful to have their starting left guard in the lineup against Jacksonville.
Martin is currently on injured reserve with a designation to return. The team opened his 21-day practice window this week. Martin practiced in full all three days. The Bears would need to make a roster move to activate Martin onto the 53-man roster, and that looks like a real possibility given his practice status and injury designation. If Martin is activated, he’ll likely play a part-time role on defense while helping on special teams.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Out
- CB Tyson Campbell (hamstring)
The Jaguars opened Campbell’s 21-day practice window, as their starting cornerback has been on injured reserve with a hamstring injury since Week 1. He was able to practice in some capacity all three days this week, but it wasn’t enough to activate him for Week 6. The only good news here is that Montaric Brown has held down Campbell’s spot as one of the few bright spots of Jacksonville’s first month of the season.
Questionable
- S Daniel Thomas (hamstring)
Thomas returned to practice in a limited capacity this week after injuring his hamstring during a team workout and being ruled out for Week 5 against the Colts. The 26-year-old has been a core special teamer for the Jaguars since Week 2, but has only played 30 defensive snaps at safety on the season.
Davis has had his practice reps capped this week due to a knee injury, but it’s also possible that he’s falling out of favor in Jacksonville’s offense. He’s logged the most snaps of any Jaguars receiver but is yet to score or top three receptions in a game this season. Last week, he had a heated altercation with quarterback Trevor Lawrence on the sideline and also lost a fumble.
- TE Evan Engram (hamstring)
The plan for Engram this week was to ramp up his practice participation. Instead, he once again failed to log a full workout, something he hasn’t been able to do since Week 2. Every Jaguars player on the injury report was listed as a limited participant in Friday’s practice, so it’s possible Engram remains on track to return against the Bears. But the wait continues, and it could come down to Sunday morning.
- OLB Yasir Abdullah (neck)
The 2023 fifth-round draft pick missed last week’s win over the Colts, but he should be nearing a return after logging three limited practice sessions this week. Abdullah was off to a solid start to the season, rotating in on defense as a pass rusher while filling a key role on special teams.