Slotting More Trouble Ahead for Bears Defense

There was a reason Bears coach Matt Eberflus hedged a little before Wednesday's practice about any plans to use Josh Blackwell at slot cornerback this week for injured Kyler Gordon, and it had nothing to do with Gordon's condition.

As it turns out, Blackwell, the backup Bears slot cornerback, is also injured. He has a hamstring injury and only went through a limited practice.

"I'm just getting better, excited for the challenge," Blackwell said of his situation. "We'll see. Taking it day by day."

Blackwell has some experience, having served three times as slot cornerback in games last year. He says he's ready for the challenge even if his hamstring is a question at this point.

"So you know, I've been preparing for this moment, like we've been working the same way since we got here for OTAs," he said. "It's just when your number is called you make the most of it."

The entire Bears defense is feeling the need to pull things together regardless of whether it's the backup slot cornerback, starting safety Jaquan Brisker or the line.

"We've got to get off the field on third down, get some takeaways, continue to get better stopping the run and we've got to get to the quarterback," defensive end DeMarcus Walker said.

That's the end goal. Doing it might require players being on a higher energy level. Many talked of being flat at points in the game with Green Bay.

"I just feel like during practice we had a lot more energy throughout the week, during camp," Brisker said. "It just feels like our energy has been different. So I feel like it was like up and down. That's not us."

The loss, and giving up 31 of the 38 Green Bay points hit hard at a defense that displayed an attitude bordering on cocky during training camp.

"It was really disappointing for us," Brisker said. "I feel like we needed that (blowout loss). I feel like we were a little too high.

"In practice we had a lot of energy and things like that but we hadn't won a game yet. I feel like we need that. We came out of there very disappointed and ready for this week."

The defense has that fallback of being on the field for the first time together, finally. They had players injured throughout camp and six different players at starting positions, including newly signed Yannick Ngakoue. It was Ngakoue who had the only sack as the pass pressure was entirely inconsistent.

Walker was just back from a calf injury and said he's feeling more comfortable in the scheme. He's also healthier now.

"This being my first game being back, getting used to the guys, knowing how I rush, having a better game plan going into Sundays and then not thinking so much in my opinion, just trusting that the treatment and everything I've done to get to this point is good to go," he said. "Can't second-guess my calf."