Injuries leave Bears defense plugging up holes

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has spent more time plugging holes this week than the little Dutch boy.

The Bears will be without nose tackle Eddie Goldman (sprained ankle), inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (thumb surgery) and outside linebacker Lamarr Houston (torn ACL left knee, I.R.).

Safety Adrian Amos and nickel cornerback Bryce Callahan practiced Friday for the first time since Monday night's game but were limited and still in the concussion protocol. They're listed as questionable.

“Well, it's obviously a challenge,” Fangio said. “But that's why you have 5 (other) d-linemen and 4 (other) ILBs and 4 (other) safeties. If one can't go, the other guy's got to go in there.”

With Goldman out, Will Sutton should see more action after being inactive in Week One but playing 19 snaps in Week Two.

“I've seen tremendous growth in (Sutton) in the time I've been here,” coach John Fox said. “He's got a good football I.Q., likes to play the game (and) is a good teammate. He's got a low center of gravity, he's got good quickness and explosion.”

But at 6-feet and 297 pounds, Sutton lacks the bulk and run-stuffing capabilities of the 6-foot-4, 320-pound Goldman.

John Anderson, who signed as an undrafted rookie out of TCU last year, filled in after Trevathan was hurt Monday night, but Christian Jones is also expected to get some snaps, since he's taken practice time at inside and outside linebacker.

Anderson showed a knack for finding the ball last year in 11 games, including 3 starts. He had 5 pass breakups and an interception to go with 30 tackles. He says he's benefited from playing with Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman, the other starter inside.

“I've been taking things from them,” Anderson said. “They've been teaching me things. Just (about) being more physical, seeing the play and dissecting the plays faster.”

The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Anderson started his college career at safety before growing into a linebacker.

“He's a pretty good athlete as linebackers go,” Fangio said. He's got some safety experience in college. He's done a nice job developing.”

Jones started 13 games last year at inside linebacker and was second on the team with 98 tackles.

“He has some experience (there) after playing all those snaps last year,” Fangio said. “He spent a good bit of training camp and the off-season with us at the outside position. So I think he has a pretty decent command of that.

“He hasn't played much in the first two games. He just needs an opportunity. And we'll see what he does with it, if he gets it.”

Both young players will rely on the experience of the other starter inside, 30-year-old Jerrell Freeman, who has made as many impact plays as anyone on the defense.

“Whoever winds up lining up next to him, he may have to talk to those guys a little bit more,” Fangio said. “They have to get the feel about how they're going to pass off (receivers running crossing routes underneath) and stay locked on and where they're going to be in certain coverages.”

Freeman leads the Bears with 15 tackles and 4 tackles for lost yardage.

“He's done a nice job of making plays for us inside, some of the simple plays that get taken for granted,” Fangio said. “He's keyed and diagnosed well. He's made some big plays on a couple of screens. He's been where he's supposed to be most of the time. I think he plays with a calmness to him, yet it's a fired-up calmness.”

Veteran Chris Prosinski filled in for Amos after he left Monday night's game, and he's the safe choice, but rookie Deon Bush has a higher upside, and the Bears might be anxious to see how the fourth-round pick from Miami responds to the big stage.

Bush comes with a reputation as a big hitter but missed the final two preseason games with a concussion so is a bit of an unknown at this point.

“Until we get him out there in live action,” Fangio said, “it's really hard to make a prediction there.”

One prediction is a certainty: Out of necessity, the Bears will get some long looks at their young defenders Sunday night against the Cowboys.

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