Bears defensive tackle Zacch Pickens put on the pads for the first time Sunday in Arizona since suffering a groin injury against the Texans in Week 2.
Pickens told reporters Thursday that he tore his groin in Houston after first injuring it ahead of the team's season-opener Sept. 8. While he served as a rotational player last weekend, playing 38% of the defensive snaps, he will likely see an increased role this Sunday vs. the Patriots.
The Bears placed Andrew Billings on injured reserve one day after coach Matt Eberflus told reporters the veteran would undergo surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle. Pickens will be one of the next men up to fill the void left by Billings in the middle of the defensive line.
"Just taking it day by day," Pickens said of his opportunity this Sunday. "Doing a lot at practice, making sure I'm doing everything right – especially the little things, so one step at a time."
While no one player is expected to fully replace Billings' production and value on the defensive line, Pickens has been able to pick up on some of the veteran's traits by learning under him the past two seasons.
"Everything when it comes to technique, hand placement, disruption," Pickens said. "He did a lot for us. It's a big role taking his steps. Still love him, still care about him."
Pickens' focus going forward will be on helping the Bears defense play well, but it took the 2023 third-round draft pick several weeks to even reach this point.
Pickens recalled the extensive rehab process he endured for over a month following the groin injury which allowed him to return to the field so quickly.
"I was here every day, showing up, icing, stretching, doing strength, doing everything and coming back, making sure I can do everything," Pickens said. "Running, jogging, starting all that back over because I was limping. The process was crazy, but how I came back was fine."
Other players along the defensive line that could see increased action against New England are veterans Chris Williams, who recorded his second sack of the season against the Cardinals, and Byron Cowart.
When discussing Billings' absence, defensive coordinator Eric Washington told reporters: "He can play from his position to the sidelines, so there's no replacing Andrew. And besides that, his leadership, the example he sets every single day in the meeting rooms and on the practice field."
Washington also voiced his confidence in the players who will step up in place of Billings, including Pickens.
"I just want to see just that energy, decisiveness, the physicality from Zacch," Washington said. "Not getting in his own way. Not overthinking things, overanalyzing things — just attacking. He's prepared himself to do that and when we've seen that, it's made a huge difference in our bottom line.
"Coming off an extended absence the way that he did – I'm not making any excuses for him – but just trying to find that rhythm. NFL football on Sunday is different than practicing it. It's different than walk-throughs. We'll be a lot better this week. I am looking forward to that and he'll help us win."
Roster Moves: Along with Billings, cornerback Jaylon Jones (shoulder) was also placed on IR Thursday. Jones sustained a shoulder in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
The Bears also signed safety Tarvarius Moore from the practice squad to the active roster and signed safety JT Woods to the practice squad.
Moore has played in three games for the Bears so this season and has accumulated 64 regular-season appearances over five season with the 49ers (2018-22) and Bears (2024) since being selected by San Francisco in the third round (95th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.
