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Injury Update

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Injury Update: Bears expect to open season with No. 1 defense intact

Bears defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker and safeties Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker
Bears defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker and safeties Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker

Three Bears defensive starters who were limited in practice Wednesday are expected to play in Sunday's season opener against the Packers at Soldier Field.

Defensive end DeMarcus Walker (calf) and safeties Eddie Jackson (ankle) and Jaquan Brisker (groin) worked out without restrictions for a second straight day Friday and were not given designations on the injury report, indicating that they're good to go.

Brisker missed the entire preseason. But coach Matt Eberflus is confident that the second-year pro from Penn State will be able to stay locked in Sunday. 

"He'll do a great job with that," Eberflus said. "He's got the year under his belt, which is great, and him and Eddie have a great relationship in terms of their communication and how they operate. Those guys have been in all the walkthroughs, which is awesome, throughout the whole time they've missed through training camp. They've looked great the last few days, so I don't really have an issue with either one."

Right guard Nate Davis also is expected to start versus Green Bay. The fifth-year pro missed Thursday's practice due to a personal issue but worked out in full Friday.

The only Bears player with an injury designation is tight end Robert Tonyan (back), who was added to the injury report Saturday afternoon.

The Packers, meanwhile, won't be at full strength at the receiver position Sunday. Christian Watson has been ruled out of the game, while Romeo Doubs is questionable after being limited in practice Friday. Both are suffering from hamstring injuries.

Backup plan: Eberflus confirmed that veteran Nathan Peterman will serve as the Bears' No. 2 quarterback behind Justin Fields Sunday with undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent filling the role of the emergency third stringer.

"We feel like that's the best thing to do at this time for us this week," Eberflus said. "We're going to continue to develop both guys, and that could change week to week."

After the 49ers ran out of quarterbacks in last season's NFC Championship Game, the NFL brought back a rule that allows teams to carry a third quarterback on its active gameday roster without counting him as part of the roster limit. The third QB can only play if the first two quarterbacks are injured.

I am the captain now: Eberflus revealed that offensive lineman Cody Whitehair will serve as the Bears' honorary captain this week against the Packers.

The Bears name an honorary captain for each game to join their four permanent captains: Fields, receiver DJ Moore, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and Jackson.

With the Bears taking on the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 season opener Sunday at Soldier Field, take a look at some of the best photos taken throughout the history of the 103-year rivalry.

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