Jaquan Brisker has been sidelined for the last few weeks with a soft tissue injury, and this is an important week for the Bears’ second-year safety as he looks to suit up for Sunday’s season opener against the Packers.
Head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters that Brisker is “progressing” but things are looking “positive” for his availability for Sunday’s game. Although, Wednesday — when the team is in pads — will be the biggest indicator of whether Brisker will be ready.
“Like I said last week, he is right there,” Eberflus said Monday at Halas Hall. “He’s progressing. Wednesday’s going to be a big day for him, but it looks on the positive side right now. We’re looking at that. He had really good workouts this weekend.”
Brisker met with the media Monday, an encouraging sign for his status, where he explained he’s feeling much better now than he did just a couple of weeks ago. Brisker believes he’ll be ready to go Sunday, but that all depends on Wednesday.
“Two weeks ago, [I] couldn’t really do too much,” Brisker said. “Really wasn’t looking promising. Looking forward to Wednesday. It’s going to be a big day for me.”
Brisker missed last year’s Bears-Packers game at Soldier Field with a concussion, and he’s itching to get an opportunity to get to play in that environment in the NFL’s biggest rivalry.
“I didn’t get to play last year the second game here in Chicago, so I didn’t really get the feel of that,” Brisker said. “I wasn’t even at the stadium. But now, I can’t (wait), I’m itching (to play). It’s Packers week. I know it’s going to be loud in the stadium, fans everywhere. You know it’s going to be loud … so, I can’t wait. They didn’t get to see me last year. They’re going to get to see me this year, though.”