Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints

NEW ORLEANS — The 2-6 Chicago Bears will face the 4-4 New Orleans Saints in Week 9 at CaesarsDome. Here’s what you need to know before tipoff (noon, CBS-2).

Bears left tackle Braxton Jones had a solid performance against the Saints on Sunday for the first time since September. 17.

The Bears removed Jones from injured reserve on Saturday after missing six games with a neck injury.

Bears safety Eddie Jackson is also active and, although active, is expected to play after missing last week’s game.

As expected, quarterback Justin Fields will not participate in the game as he recovers from a dislocated thumb. Fields practiced for the first time since his injury on Friday, and the Bears listed him as questionable. Rookie Tyson Bargent will start for the third straight game in Fields’ place.

Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (knee), safety Jaquan Brisker (concussion), right guard Nate Davis (ankle) ), cornerback Terell Smith (mononucleosis) and defensive end Dominique Robinson (healthy) are also out.

For the Saints, tight end Jimmy Graham, quarterback Jake Harner, wide receiver Keith Kirkwood, defensive end Kyle Phillips, linebacker Nick Saldivieri and linebacker Tai Summers did not play.

Bears quarterback Justin Fields practiced for the first time Friday afternoon after dislocating the thumb on his right throwing hand Oct. 15 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Fields said in the locker room that his grip strength wasn’t fully restored after practice and he was still feeling some pain while playing in a limited manner.

As he and the Bears consider when he can return, Fields said he needs to see “if I can throw all the pitches in the game and be able to take hits and stuff like that.” Read more here.

It’s going to take a lot for Montez Sweat to make an impact for the Bears in Khalil Mack’s first game and Julius Peppers before that. Big effort.

But Ryan Poles is dreaming big, becoming the only general manager of a team with a losing record to become a buyer at Tuesday’s trade deadline.

The Poles are counting on Sweat to play a big role in the season ahead, speaking on the need to add elite players to the roster after Sweat passed his physical and was traded to the team for a 2024 second-round pick on Wednesday. The Polish people used the word “eraser”. The commanders have been finalized. Read more here.

Maybe, if there’s substance to what the leaders at Halas Hall are selling, the Chicago Bears might actually be ready to hit the ramp toward meaningful improvement.

If, as Bears general manager Ryan Boles says, coach Matt Eberfus is the right leader for this moment, a hands-on guy with a knack for high integrity and unity, then the Bears can Endure another rough week and emerge stronger.

“I know it seems like we’re still far away,” Poland said Wednesday. “But this guy comes in every day and keeps working.”

If so, November should be as decisive as anything the Bears will face. The midpoint of the season will officially arrive at the Superdome at halftime on Sunday, and the Bears will carry as many departed assistant coaches (two) on Eberflus’ staff as they have in wins. people landed there. Read more here.

Originally published: November 5, 2023 6:00 am