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Bears' new wrinkle features DJ Moore as ballcarrier | Quick Hits

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DJ Moore put his versatility and play-making ability on display Monday night in Minnesota.

In addition to matching a season high with eight receptions (for 46 yards), the Bears receiver also rushed for 24 yards on three carries. Moore produced a pair of 9-yard runs on jet sweeps on back-to-back plays and added a 6-yard gain after lining up in the backfield.

"They were positive plays for the team, so I was happy," Moore said.

Interim head coach Thomas Brown explained that the Bears are "trying to find multiple ways to get [Moore] the ball in space" while also "trying to find different wrinkles to be creative, give the defense different looks and also find different ways to use him in motion."

Moore has rushed for 60 yards on 10 carries this season, his highest output on the ground since his rookie season with the Panthers in 2018 when he ran for 172 yards on 13 attempts.

Asked about the challenge of lining up in the backfield, Moore said: "Don't get smacked in the hole. That's the challenge. Don't have a negative play, take care of the ball, be a playmaker."

Keep battling

Over the final three weeks of the season, Brown wants rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to keep focusing on his communication and preparation.

"Continuing to do a really good job of just the communication in and out of the huddle so we have as much time as possible on the play clock to make adjustments and get the play call in fast," Brown said.

"It's also understanding how to go through every single call the days before, the nights before the game, leading up to a game, so we have some answers if the defense gives you different wrinkles when it comes to playing man coverage, when it comes to different pressures, when it comes to empty stuff and overloading us.

"I think he's continuing to progress every week. He's a super confident dude, which I love about him. Just continue to keep battling."

Veteran move

One of Williams' highlights Monday night came when he recognized he had a free play due to a Vikings offside penalty and completed a 29-yard pass to fellow rookie Rome Odunze.

Brown credited the young quarterback with "understanding how to use cadence as a weapon, to mix and match between downs and when it's most appropriate."

Big picture

While Williams is focused on Sunday's home game against the Lions, he also occasionally ponders his long-term growth.

"Trying to stay in the moment," Williams said. "But there are things that at times I will go to my notes and write things down that I know I want to work on or know I want to get better at, whether it's routes, whether it's defenses, whether it's fronts and protections, whether it's all of the above."

Williams estimated that he's written down 5-to-8 things this season.

"I started midway through the year marking down some stuff that I want to get better at, stuff that I want to learn," he said. "Finding ways to still be in the moment, stay in the moment, but understand that I've got to grow and progress to be able to help this team and the Chicago Bears to grow and reach our goals and my goals, which is winning games, winning big games, being in those big games and coming out victorious."

Injury update

The Bears conducted a walk-through Wednesday. Had they held a regular practice, offensive linemen Braxton Jones (concussion), Teven Jenkins (calf) and Ryan Bates (concussion) and defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. (knee) would not have been able to participate.

Running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) and defensive end Darrell Taylor (shoulder) would have practiced without restrictions.

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