Eagles Visit Bears on Monday Night Football With Injuries Looming
The short version
- The 2-0 Eagles visit the Bears on Monday Night Football in Week 3.
- Bears QB Caleb Williams (hamstring) has not been ruled out; Ben Johnson called the injury week-to-week.
- Saquon Barkley had an MRI on a stinger but returned against Tennessee; Dallas Goedert is expected to miss time with an MCL sprain.
- The Eagles signed tight end Zach Ertz to the practice squad.
- Tyson Bagent is in the concussion protocol, putting third-stringer Case Keenum in play for Chicago.
Philadelphia travels to Chicago for a Week 3 primetime game with several key players on both sides dealing with health questions.
The unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) travel to face the Chicago Bears in a Week 3 game scheduled for Monday Night Football. Both teams enter the contest dealing with significant injury uncertainty, which figures to shape how the matchup unfolds.
Chicago has not ruled out quarterback Caleb Williams, who is dealing with a hamstring issue that head coach Ben Johnson described as week-to-week. Backup Tyson Bagent remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, leaving third-stringer Case Keenum as a possibility under center. Philadelphia, meanwhile, could be without running back Saquon Barkley, who had an MRI after a stinger against Tennessee but returned in the second half of that game, while tight end Dallas Goedert is expected to miss time with an MCL sprain and guard Landon Dickerson remains on injured reserve. The Eagles added a familiar face this week, signing tight end Zach Ertz to the practice squad.
Several on-field battles stand out regardless of the final injury designations. The sideline chess match between Bears coach Ben Johnson and Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is one, with Johnson regarded among the league's most inventive offensive minds and Fangio long respected as a defensive strategist. Philadelphia's reworked offensive line, where Cam Jurgens shifted to left guard and Drew Kendall started at center against Tennessee, will be tested by a Chicago front that includes former Eagle Kentavius Street, who already has a sack this season.
The secondary also offers a matchup worth tracking. Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who has seven tackles through two games, could draw assignments against receiver DeVonta Smith in a Chicago defense coordinated by Dennis Allen that has leaned heavily on zone coverage since the regular season began after showing more man looks in the preseason. How quarterback Jalen Hurts approaches those situations may prove decisive for the Eagles.
