One Bears player already knows what it's like to be part of an offense that's coordinated by Thomas Brown.

Running back Travis Homer played at the University of Miami from 2016-18, the same three seasons that Brown served as the Hurricanes' offensive coordinator and running backs coach.

"It was awesome," Homer said. "TB's a great coach. I always talk to people about how he was one of the best coaches I've ever had."

In his first season as Bears passing game coordinator, Brown was named offensive coordinator Tuesday, replacing Shane Waldron.

"Just being able to be here with him at the beginning of the season, I was hyped for that," Homer said. "But now seeing him take over [the offense], I just want to see him prosper and see him flourish."

At Miami, Brown helped Homer develop into a two-time All-ACC second-team selection after rushing for 966 yards and eight touchdowns in 2017 and 895 yards and four TDs in 2018.

"He's real big on attention to detail," Homer said. "His attention to detail and the love and passion he has for the game, he brings it into coaching. He used to be a player, so that same energy he had from back then, he brings it."

Brown played running back at Georgia from 2004-07. He appeared in 40 games over four seasons, rushing for 2,646 yards and 23 TDs on 529 carries and catching 39 passes for 372 yards and two TDs. He was selected by the Falcons in the sixth round of the 2008 draft and also spent time with the Browns in 2009-10.

Injury update

The Bears on Thursday placed safety Jaquan Brisker on injured reserve due to a concussion, sidelining him for the next four games.

The 2022 second-round pick from Penn State has missed the last four contests after getting injured Oct. 6 in a win over the Panthers. Brisker will be eligible to return to action Dec. 16 when the Bears visit the Vikings on Monday Night Football.

Defensive end Montez Sweat (ankle) returned to practice Thursday on a limited basis after sitting out Wednesday. For the second straight day, starting tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright were limited due to knee injuries, and guard Teven Jenkins (ankle) and tackle Kiran Amegadjie (calf) did not participate in the workout.

Staying focused

Defensive coordinator Eric Washington was Bills assistant head coach and defensive line coach last season when Buffalo replaced offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey with Joe Brady in Week 11 before winning its final five games to claim the AFC East title with an 11-6 record.

"One of the things that I had to do as a coach on that staff in that situation," Washington said, "is just make sure that I kept the guys, our players, focused, our staff focused, and we continued to reach for a higher level of performance and execution. And that's what we did then and that's what we'll continue to do now."

Washington is not concerned about members of the Bears defense losing their focus.

"One of the things that I've been consistent in terms of describing the men that I work with is their character," he said. "That doesn't just show up when everything is going well. It shows up in times when things aren't going exactly the way you need them to. I've gotten to know that and really gotten to the point where I can appreciate that going back all the way to the point when we first started working together."

Honoring a legend

Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower has always been a huge fan of Devin Hester, who will receive his Hall of Fame ring during a halftime ceremony Sunday when the Bears host the Packers.

"I've been on the table with two feet for Devin," Hightower said. "I thought he should've been in the Hall a long time ago, and I'm happy he finally got in. We take great honor and pleasure in seeing him anytime he comes back. He is one of the greatest Chicago Bears to ever play here, and it's someone we show in the meetings rooms from time to time to inspire these guys. They can learn a lot from Devin and his journey."