Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson has been told all week to be ready to be involved in Saturday’s game.
“I was told that last week,” he said, “and I didn’t get in.”
Speaking publicly for the first time since he played not a single snap in the season finale, Stevenson said he was “just rolling with the punches at this point” and focusing on being “the best teammate I can.”
Bears coach Ben Johnson said earlier this week that Stevenson was benched because the Bears believed two-time Pro Bowl player Jaylon Johnson and Nahshon Wright, who leads the NFL in takeaways, were the best options. Stevenson had been part of a rotation with the two — before his benching, he played between 25% and 58% of the Bears’ snaps the last three weeks.
“The best thing I can do,” he said, “is come here and be healthy and be ready for any opportunity I get.”
Notes
Packers tackle Zach Tom was ruled questionable despite missing practice Thursday. Backup quarterback Malik Willis also is questionable with injuries to his right shoulder and right hamstring.
• Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had a 87.6 passer rating and completed 55.1% of his passes in the first two games against the Packers this year, throwing for 436 yards, four scores and one interception. His counterpart, Jordan Love, had a 106.4 passer rating, throwing for 311 yards on a 65.8% completion percentage with three touchdown passes and one interception.
• Several coaches the Bears fired over the last few years are coaching in these playoffs, including their last four offensive coordinators: Thomas Brown (Patriots tight ends coach and passing game coordinator), Shane Waldron (Jaguars passing game coordinator), Luke Getsy (Packers senior offensive assistant) and Bill Lazor (Texans senior offensive assistant).
• The Wiener’s Circle, which gave out free hot dogs when Williams threw for four touchdowns and when Ben Johnson took off his shirt after a win, will do it again if any of these goals are met Saturday: any Bear on defense or special teams scores on a return in a Bears victory; a Bears offensive lineman or defensive player scores on a designed offensive play (not a fumble recovery); the Bears win and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen does the Macarena.
Edwards was hurt in the second quarter Saturday night.
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The First and Ten Tailgate crew started with a grill and a cooler. Now, the small group of friends welcomes dozens — Bears fans and others — to their party in the South Loop.
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The Bears have so much going for them these days, it’s nearly impossible not to get swept up in the notion that an era of payback is in order. What could go wrong?
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