The Chicago Bears defense has been one of the best units in the NFL through the first five weeks of the 2024 season. Their demolition of the Carolina Panthers last Sunday was merely the latest example, holding them to 10 points and forcing two turnovers. At the heart of the effort once again was safety Jaquan Brisker. He forced a key fumble in the game and pushed his tally to 40 tackles this season, putting him on pace for 136. One could make a legitimate case that he's been the Bears best player on defense.
Unfortunately, the team will have to find a way to win without him on their trip to London next weekend. Word came down that the safety had suffered a concussion in the Panthers game. Travelling overseas with such a condition is not advised by doctors. As a result, the Bears have declared him out this week, along with cornerback Terell Smith and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens. Either Elijah Hicks or Jonathan Owens will likely replace him in the starting lineup.
The Chicago Bears defense likely looks to Owens.
When the backups went in on Sunday against Carolina, he played the strong safety spot. It wouldn't be a surprise. He has extensive starting experience compared to Hicks. From 2021 through 2023, he started 30 games for Houston and Green Bay. In that time, he recorded 221 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. He might not be the all-around playmaker that Brisker is, but he should provide enough stability against a Jacksonville Jaguars team that has struggled most of the season.
The Chicago Bears defense is not new to navigating injuries. They did it really well last season when they lost key starters like Yannick Ngakoue and Eddie Jackson. Matt Eberflus is a quality coordinator who understands his players' strengths and weaknesses. They may not completely shut down the Jaguars, but there is no reason to think they won't still be formidable.
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