Tim Jennings
is down but not out just yet.
The cornerback took last Sunday’s 38-14 loss to the Seahawks rather hard because he made a mistake allowing receiver
Ben Obamanu
to blow past him for a 43-yard reception that led to a Seahawks touchdown.
The Bears have discussed replacing Jennings with
Zack Bowman
for the Christmas night showdown against the Packers in Green Bay. Bowman stepped in after Jennings was benched last week, but the two split reps Wednesday.
“You just have to accept it,” Jennings said of the possibility of being benched again. “It’s one (bad) play, then you’re out of there. But you just have to put it in the back of your mind.”
Last season, Jennings took the starting job from Bowman after Bowman missed a tackle against the Packers in Soldier Field.
“It’s crazy,” Jennings said. “As a cornerback, you have no leeway. I know it was tough with Zack, being in the same situation. It bothers me, but you have to compete.”
Jennings was playing for a new contract, with his set to expire at season’s end. Bowman’s deal also expires, so the last two games could reveal a lot about the cornerbacks for the future.
Walking wounded:
Seven Bears still a part of the 53-man active roster sat out Wednesday’s practice:
Jay Cutler
(thumb),
Matt Forte
(knee),
Lance Briggs
(ankle),
Marion Barber
(calf),
Kellen Davis
(back),
Devin Hester
(ankle) and
Henry Melton
(shin infection).
Bears coach
Lovie Smith
refused to use the injuries as an excuse for performance, referring specifically to Cutler and Forte.
“A lot of people have injuries,” Smith said. “They’re part of it, especially this time of the season. We’ve had opportunities even without those guys.We’ve lost four games and we’ve led in all four, been ahead going into the second half in two of them, and those were without those guys. We just hadn’t gotten the job done.”
In Green Bay, Packers coach
Mike McCarthy
ruled out both wide receiver
Greg Jennings
(knee) and tackle
Bryan Bulaga
(knee). Defensive end
Ryan Pickett
(concussion) did not participate in practice while four Packers were limited: linebacker
Desmond Bishop
(calf), tackle
Chad Clifton
(hamstring/back), defensive end
Mike Neal
(shoulder) and running back
Brandon Saine
(concussion). Running back
James Starks
(knee/ankle) had full participation.
Extra points:
Receiver
Johnny Knox,
who had back surgery Monday, is scheduled to be released from the hospital Saturday, according to a league source. … Safety
Chris Conte,
placed on injured reserve this week with a foot injury, was on crutches with a cast Wednesday. He said he has torn ligaments. … Receiver
Kevin Jurovich
was signed to the practice squad.
Twitter @vxmcclure23
