Bears Optimistic Marshall and Jeffery Will Play

Aug 8, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (L) and wide receiver Brandon Marshall (R) talk prior to a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman expressed that the Bears are optimistic both Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery will play tonight against the Jets on Monday Night Football during his morning radio spot on WBBM AM.  Both wide receivers are listed as Questionable on the official injury report this week.  Of course, both were listed as Questionable last Sunday night and they both played as the Bears upset the San Francisco 49ers.  Jeffery clearly labored running his routes while Marshall excelled, scoring three touchdowns.

If Marshall and Jeffery both go, the Jets will certainly have their hands full.  They are banged up in their secondary and have struggled with their pass defense.  Cutler will look to exploit those matchups while the Bears still wait another week to try to get Matt Forte going against the league’s top ranked rush defense.

Injury news is not as good for the Bears defense.  They’ll be without Jeremiah Ratliff, Shea McClellin and Charles Tillman.  Ratliff has not been cleared to return from a concussion he suffered in the Niners game, while McClellin suffered a broken hand in practice last week.  Tillman, as we all know, is lost for the second straight season to a ruptured right triceps.

The Bears will have to press some rookies and inexperienced guys into the mix.  Look for second year vet Jonathan Bostic to spell McClellin, while rookies Will Sutton and Ego Ferguson to get more reps on the defensive line with Ratliff out.  Kyle Fuller stepped in for Tillman last week and he’ll look to build on a two interception night that earned him Defensive Player of the Week honors.