The Chicago Bears' defense will be down several names when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit Soldier Field this weekend. According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Bears officially ruled out linebackers Noah Sewell (elbow), Tremaine Edmunds (groin), and T.J. Edwards (hand) for various ailments, leaving the defense without three of its key starters.
As much defensive help as possible is needed against a team like the Steelers, who are averaging 24.6 points per game (12th). What's done is done, though. All the Bears can do now is hope that their backups and reserve linebackers can step up in the aforementioned trio's absence, including a certain veteran who's flown under the radar this season.
Door Is Open for More D'Marco Jackson Snaps Amid Bears' LB Injuries
With Chicago's LB room being the definition of "shorthanded" in Week 12, it might be time for veteran defender D'Marco Jackson to get his first career start. The former 2021 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year was drafted 161st overall by the New Orleans Saints in 2022 and was in the Big Easy until the Bears claimed him off waivers in August, reuniting him with ex-Saints head coach and current defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
Since making his way to the Windy City, Jackson has been used exclusively as a backup linebacker and for punting/kicking situations, playing 32 defensive snaps compared to 180 on special teams. It's in line with the type of workload he saw with the Saints, but that could change this week with the Bears needing a ton of LB help.
Jackson hasn't played much on defense, sure, but he has made the most of the few opportunities he's seen. The ex-Appalachian State Mountaineer has tallied three tackles and a pass break-up so far, all while earning solid Pro Football Focus grades when it comes to coverage (90.4), tackling (76.4), and overall defensive play (84.6).
Is it a small sample size? Yes. Are PFF grades the end-all, be-all? No. However, Jackson's ability to make the most of his few chances can't be ignored, and the Bears may as well throw him into the fire to see what they're working with. If it doesn't work, they can at least say they tried. But if it does and he thrives under the spotlight, Chicago's defensive outlook will be better because of it.
It's crunch time, and the trade deadline is long gone, meaning the Bears' options for LB help are limited. They will have no choice but to trust who they have at their disposal, and that includes Jackson this weekend. Hopefully, Allen and head coach Ben Johnson can find the right role and schemes to put the 27-year-old vet to succeed in what could be his first-career start on Sunday.