The camaraderie the Bears first began building during the offseason program is paying dividends months later. It's allowing players to have frank discussions with each other as they look to find solutions for issues on both sides of the ball.
"Adversity hits and you have to have conversations with people and get on the same page," said veteran linebacker T.J. Edwards. "It's easier to do when people know that you care about them. We did such a good job of that in the spring and it's kind of carrying over into this part of the season."
That chemistry was evident Monday when multiple players spoke during a team meeting led by coach Matt Eberflus, one day after the Bears dropped their second straight game.
"We have a team meeting every Monday and at this team meeting I just felt like it was real," Edwards said. "We've got to go win games and we've got to do good things throughout the week to get that thing going, but also it matters what we do on Sunday."
Injury update
Bears defensive tackle Andrew Billings is scheduled to undergo surgery this week to repair a torn pectoral muscle he sustained in last Sunday's loss to the Cardinals.
The eighth-year pro started each of the first eight games this season and recorded 13 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, 1.0 sack and one forced fumble. Billings is out indefinitely and likely will be placed on injured reserve.
"It's the brutal part about this game," Edwards said. "He's our guy. He makes a lot of good things happen, but the group is so close that I know there's going to be guys stepping up to fill that void. He'll be with us every step of the way."
In other injury news, safety Jaquan Brisker remains in concussion protocol and is expected to miss his fourth straight game Sunday when the Bears host the Patriots.
"Brisker is still working through his concussion," Eberflus said. "Really same as last week, so looks like he will be out for this week again."
Starting offensive tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright sat out practice Wednesday due to knee injuries, but the Bears are hopeful that one or both will be able to play versus New England.
"We're optimistic about both," Eberflus said. "We'll see where it goes. I don't know right now. We've got to see how they work through it today and then going into tomorrow. But hopefully we'll get at least one of those guys."
Tackle Kiran Amegadjie (calf) and cornerback Jaylon Jones (shoulder) also did not practice Wednesday.
Defensive ends Montez Sweat (shin) and Darrell Taylor (knee), nickel back Kyler Gordon (hamstring), linebacker Noah Sewell (knee) and cornerback Terell Smith (ankle) were limited.
Thanking Herbert
Eberflus discussed Tuesday's departure of running back Khalil Herbert, a fourth-year pro who was traded to the Bengals for a 2025 seventh-round pick.
"Talked to him, thanked him for his dedication and hard work," Eberflus said. "Really appreciate him. Couple guys from that staff called me. I told them really good things about him in terms of his work ethic, his character. It's good to see that opportunity for him. As you know, [Bears GM] Ryan [Poles] is always working on improving our roster and also improving our draft status and getting draft capital and all those things and obviously he did a nice job there."
Selected by the Bears in the sixth round of the 2021 draft, Herbert rushed for 433, 731 and 611 yards and a total of nine touchdowns in his first three seasons. This year he carried eight times for 16 yards in the first six games and was a healthy scratch in the last two contests.
