The Chicago Bears will enter Week 15’s make-or-break game against the Minnesota Vikings a bit shorthanded on defense. Cornerback Buster Skrine has been ruled out, and rookie Jaylon Johnson is trending in the wrong direction too.
#Bears rule CB Buster Skrine (concussion) out for Sunday's game at Vikings.
CB Jaylon Johnson (shoulder) & S Deon Bush (foot) did not practice all week. Both are questionable.
OLB Khalil Mack (shoulder) was limited today and is also questionable.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) December 18, 2020
Worst of all, outside linebacker Khalil is questionable too with a shoulder injury. To be fair, Mack has been questionable several times this season and has suited up.
The loss of Skrine from the lineup opens the door for Duke Shelley to receive more snaps for the second week in a row. He logged 53 reps in Week 14’s win over the Texans.
Shelley played well with his extended playing time, earning a 66.3 grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked just behind Kyle Fuller’s 66.6 on the day.
Shelley’s logged just 59 snaps on the year and has a 64.7 grade from PFF in 2020.