When it rains, it pours for the Chicago Bears. Their banged-up secondary continues to lose soldiers by the day, and while that's not ideal with the start of the season right around the corner, a problem can also become an opportunity.
The Bears lost Coby Bryant for the long run, potentially for the entire regular season. Now, Xavier Woods, who they signed to replace him, is dealing with a groin injury and was limited in Thursday's practice session.
With Kyler Gordon also hurt and rehabbing away from the team, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen might have to throw rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad into the fire right out of the gate, trusting him in the season opener vs. the Carolina Panthers.
Malik Muhammad can make a big impact on the Bears' secondary
Muhammad didn't draw much buzz in the pre-draft process, but it didn't take long before he turned heads in the building. The rookie spent extensive time both on the boundary and in the slot, and he also made the most of Gordon's and Tyrique Stevenson's absences.
He was one of the best players on the field in the preseason opener vs. the Cleveland Browns, giving a hand against the run, making plays in coverage, and looking like the type of dynamic player who can thrive in a modern defense.
He's currently listed as the team's second nickelback, with Cam Lewis slated to start. That said, soft-tissue injuries are tricky and tend to linger, so Lewis might have to start at safety with Dillon Thieneman.
Muhammad can alternate in the slot, play some free safety, and rotate with Lewis and Skyler Thomas. Whatever the case, he's facing less competition for snaps, and the Bears will find ways to get him on the field.
Given the uncertainty around Gordon's future, Woods' age, and Bryant's injury, the table is set for Muhammad to earn himself a bigger role in the Windy City. Also, Stevenson hasn't necessarily played great in recent years, and since he can also play outside, there might be another opportunity for him there.
This is a great problem to have. Not many teams would feel comfortable rolling with a rookie for the season opener. And while this is clearly not an ideal situation and might still backfire, Muhammad might be next in the long list of Al Harris' pupils to become a ball-hawk and a disruptive defensive back early on in his career.
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