Eagles players join anthem protest at Soldier Field

Malcolm Jenkins, the Philadelphia Eagles safety who led a three-man protest during the national anthem Monday night at Soldier Field, admitted it “was a lonely feeling” while he stood with his fist in the air.

Jenkins, cornerback Ron Brooks and defensive end Steven Means joined a smattering of other NFL players who say they are fed up with the way African Americans continue to get a raw deal in this country.

No Bears showed any signs of protest.

“You feel like you're out there on the edge and you understand the consequences that are to come,” Jenkins said after the Eagles' 29-14 victory. “But at the end of the day when your heart's in the right spot, it's easy to do it.”

In reports heading up to the game, it was thought more of Jenkins' teammates would join in the protest. He said afterward that the small number wasn't disappointing.

“(There are) a lot of opinions about how to go about standing for this cause, so no issues there,” Jenkins said.

During the third quarter, Jenkins applauded the longest of any of the players on the field when a military man was honored in the south end zone during the third quarter. The eighth-year safety out of Ohio State said his grandfather was a marine who served in the Korean War and he wants people to understand the protest has nothing to do with the military or the police.

“I completely respect our armed services and those people who serve our country and put their lives on the line,” said Jenkins, who will continue to demonstrate all season. “So when they honor somebody during the game it's just out of respect to show that appreciation.”

Jenkins also said he ran the idea past a couple of his buddies who serve in the Air Force and that he decided to raise a fist because fans automatically know why they are protesting.

Jenkins, who spoke for over 12 minutes at his locker stall, does take issue with those who believe a sporting event isn't the place for such demonstrations.

“A lot of the arguments you hear is, 'Do it on your own time or do it in a different way,' ” he said. “Well the truth of the matter is if you do it in a different way, that just allows you to ignore the issues.

“When you talk about real change — although protests (themselves) don't change anything — they force people to talk about it. It tugs on the social conscience of the citizens.”

Injuries:

As if the loss to Philadelphia wasn't bad enough, the Bears were sacked by a truckload of injuries Monday. The big one was obviously to QB Jay Cutler, but also lost were:

• Linebacker Lamarr Houston. He suffered a knee injury in the first half and was ruled out by the team's medical staff.

• Defensive backs Adrian Amos and Bryce Callahan, who were both ruled out with concussions. Amos was replaced by Chris Prosinski, while Callahan was replaced by Sherrick McManis.

• Lineman Eddie Goldman, who was carted off with 10:52 to go in the game with an ankle injury.

• Running back Ka'Deem Carey, who never returned from a hamstring injury suffered in the first half.

Flying high:

In just two games this season, Alshon Jeffery already has receptions of 49 and 54 yards, the latter coming in the second quarter Monday night against the Eagles. It set up the Bears' first touchdown and gave coach John Fox's squad a 7-3 lead.

Jeffery now has 9 catches for 201 yards (23.3 average) on the young season.

Extra points:

Before missing a 31-yard attempt in the first quarter, Connor Barth had connected on 80 of 84 FGs (95 percent) from inside 40 yards. In his Bears debut last week at Houston, Barth did not attempt a field goal. Last year, Bears kicker Robbie Gould was 19 of 21 from inside 40 yards. … The Bears ran the ball seven times for just 10 yards in the first half but then picked up 51 on 9 attempts in the third quarter.

Sitting out:

Bears inactives Monday night were CB's Kyle Fuller (knee) and Cre'Von LeBlanc, S Deon Bush, LB Nick Kwiatkoski, offensive lineman Eric Kush, wide receiver Cam Meredith and defensive end Cornelius Washington.

Among the Eagles inactives were two starters, tight end Zach Ertz (rib) and cornerback Leodis McKelvin (hamstring).