It's hard not to feel happy about how things have transpired over the last week at the Chicago Bears training camp.
There are so, so many injuries to the team, including Coby Bryant, Braxton Jones, Montez Sweat, Cam Lewis, Tyrique Stevenson, Luther Burden III, and the five million other defensive backs who are out. Despite adding three more players to the secondary, it still has not eased fans' minds about how this team is going to look over the next few weeks.
Even before training camp, the Bears didn't have Kyler Gordon and Shemar Turner ready to practice yet, adding even more stress. At least with Gordon being out, there is an emerging star coming from it all that the Bears just added back in April during the NFL Draft.
Bears rookie Malik Muhammad is stepping up at training camp
After being a fourth-round selection, cornerback Malik Muhammad was seen as direct competition to Stevenson for the CB2 job. Training camp shifted Muhammad's focus to the nickel position instead, as he fights for the starting job.
With the latest practice in the books, ESPN Bears reporter Courtney Cronin detailed the injury-filled day for the team. Cronin did at least give some highlight moments for Muhammad in the practice.
"With Jaylon Jones sidelined, rookie Malik Muhammad was once again with the first-team defense at nickel. Muhammad broke up a pass during 11-on-11 and almost came away with an interception later."
Muhammad showed good signs last season at Texas, which is why the Bears believed in him enough to draft him. In 11 games, he racked up 30 tackles, four pass deflections, 2.5 tackles, two interceptions, and one sack.
Pro Football Focus gave Muhammad a 70.8 overall grade for the season. He also had a coverage grade of 69.8 and a run-defense grade of 73.5.
That run-defense grade is an important note. Muhammad is probably going to play in the box more often in Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's defense. He will have a similar role to what C.J. Gardner-Johnson was used for last season.
No one knows what will happen with Gordon and his soft-tissue injury, but if the Bears have three players competing for the job, that's usually not a good sign. Muhammad appears to have the lead for the job, and that could be a good thing.
The Bears have been more focused on getting that side of the ball younger, faster, and more versatile. Muhammad fits the role for all of that, with his ability to make tackles, pressure the quarterback, and help in run support.
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Muhammad has a lot to prove and limited time to do it in. If he can play as he did with the Longhorns, maybe he ends up starting in Chicago and never gives up the job again. Earning Allen and head coach Ben Johnson's trust that he can stay on the field and be available will go a long way in his NFL career being placed in Chicago.
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