The Chicago Bears will be without their rookie cornerback vs. the Vikings
The Chicago Bears will face the Vikings for the second time in 2023. The last time the Bears played the Vikings, Justin Fields left the game in the third quarter with a thumb injury. The injury kept Justin Fields out for four games. Prior to the injury, Fields was 6/10 for 58 yards and an interception. He was not performing well, but no one on the offense, outside of a select few, was playing that well. Now, Justin Fields will have a chance to right that ship in his second matchup against Minnesota.
Unfortunately, the team is going to be without one of its starting cornerbacks. Last week, Tyrique Stevenson got dinged up and didn't finish the game vs. the Lions. He didn't show up on the injury report until Friday. It appears he must have tweaked his ankle and is now ruled out for the Chicago Bears matchup against the Vikings on Monday Night Football. The Bears will also be without running back D'Onta Foreman and offensive lineman Larry Borom.
The Chicago Bears will be without starting CB Tyrique Stevenson
Stevenson has been performing up and down all season, but that's to be expected from a rookie corner. He is coming off one of his better games and recorded his first career interception against the Lions. Hopefully, Stevenson's ankle injury isn't anything too serious and he will be able to return soon. Luckily, the Chicago Bears have another rookie corner who has been performing well when on the field.
Terell Smith is likely to start in Stevenson's place. He is a fifth-round draft pick who actually was pushing Stevenson for playing time in the offseason. He has seen plenty of snaps off the bench and has started two games already this year. The good news is that the more reps Smith sees, the better. With Jaylon Johnson's contract up in the air for 2023, Smith and Stevenson could be focal points on the Chicago Bears defense for many years.
Smith didn't play against the Vikings in the first matchup. Stevenson did, and once again had an up and down game. He was targeted four times and allowed two completions for 25 yards. He did give up a touchdown though. He finished with four tackles and a pass defensed.
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The Vikings will once again not have Justin Jefferson. This time they will be without quarterback Kirk Cousins. Joshua Dobbs has come in and played admirably though, and this will be another tough matchup for a well-below average Chicago Bears team.