Chicago Bears RB David Montgomery, WR Byron Pringle depart game against Houston Texans with injuries

CHICAGO — Chicago Bears working again David Montgomery and broad receiver Byron Pringle left Sunday’s sport in opposition to Houston due to accidents.

Each gamers obtained damage within the first quarter, and the Bears stated their return is uncertain.

Montgomery’s proper leg obtained twisted beneath him whereas he was blocking on a cross play. He walked off beneath his personal energy, and the group stated he had an ankle/knee damage.

Montgomery rushed for 122 yards in final weekend’s 27-10 loss at Inexperienced Bay.

It was unclear how Pringle obtained damage. The group stated he had a calf damage.

Pringle had an 11-yard reception earlier than leaving the sport.

Bears look to bounce again in opposition to Smith, winless Texans

The Bears had been driving excessive after a stunning victory over San Francisco in a rain-soaked season opener at Soldier Discipline, solely to get taken down by Aaron Rodgers and the rival Inexperienced Bay Packers but once more.

They may attempt to bounce again when Lovie Smith – their former coach – and the winless Houston Texans go to Sunday.

Each groups have skilled their share of frustration. The Bears (1-1) have some massive points of their passing sport, and the Texans (0-1-1) are merely looking for methods to win after failing to complete the primary two weeks.

Houston settled for a 20-20 tie within the opener in opposition to Indianapolis after blowing a 17-point lead within the fourth quarter. The Texans additionally led coming into the fourth final week in opposition to Denver, solely to lose 16-9.

As irritating as these two video games have been, the Texans see encouraging indicators coming off a 4-13 season.

“Completely,” receiver Brandin Cooks stated. “Like I stated, I believe early on we do an amazing job of shifting the ball and having these particulars accurately, so I am positively encouraging that side. It is time to form of take that subsequent step to have the ability to flip these L’s into W’s actually.”

The Bears obtained their run sport stepping into a 27-10 loss at Inexperienced Bay. However relating to passing, they don’t seem to be getting a lot.

Justin Fields, in his second season, is 15 of 28 for 191 yards. He has the fewest makes an attempt within the NFL amongst qualifiers. Solely Dallas’ Dak Prescott has fewer completions and yards, and he missed final week’s sport following thumb surgical procedure.

Although Fields would clearly wish to open up the passing sport extra, he stated his job is to execute the sport plan.

“If our offensive coordinator thinks the performs he is giving me are going to assist us win video games, that is all I care about,” he stated.

FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS

Smith had nothing however good issues to say about his time in Chicago.

“Completely. I get an opportunity to have my dream job right here based mostly on beginning there,” he stated. “Plenty of nice instances, we nonetheless have a house there, buddies. My spouse is from Chicago. All optimistic, appreciative of the whole lot that occurred there throughout my time there.”

Smith led the Bears to an 81-63 report and a Tremendous Bowl look from 2004-12. He was fired following a 10-win season.

The Bears have only one profitable report and two playoff appearances since they let him go. They’re additionally on their fourth coach since, with Matt Eberflus in his first season.

CATCHING ON

Bears receiver Darnell Mooney is not able to panic about his gradual begin.

“It is Week 2, so need not fear about it an excessive amount of,” he stated. “The group believes in me. Gamers imagine in me, so each time my alternative will likely be there, I will reap the benefits of it.”

Mooney has simply two receptions for 4 yards and has been focused 5 instances. It is not what he or the Bears envisioned after he had 1,055 yards final season – his second.

Chicago additionally must get tight finish Cole Kmet extra concerned. He has zero receptions.

DAMEON’S DRIVE

Although the Texans have had hassle ending, one participant who hasn’t had an issue doing so is rookie working again Dameon Pierce. Each Smith and Cooks raved this week concerning the fourth-round decide’s means to complete.

“We as a soccer group want to complete. I have never stated that an terrible lot to Dameon,” Smith stated. “He finishes performs … that toughness, further effort, all these stuff you speak about, that is precisely what we see from him each time he will get the ball.”

Added Cooks: “From the second he stepped into the constructing, that is what he is all about. Even in observe ending runs, even when he isn’t touched, even when it is arduous on the market. It is a mindset.”

Pierce had 15 carries for 69 yards and was strong in cross safety every week after managing simply 33 yards on 11 carries in his NFL debut. His yards speeding final week had been essentially the most by a Houston rookie since 2017.

GROUND GAINS

Chicago’s floor sport took off final week.

The Bears ran for 180 yards and averaged 6.7 yards per try in opposition to Inexperienced Bay. David Montgomery performed an enormous half in that with 122 yards on 15 rushes, after managing simply 26 yards on 17 carries in a rain-soaked season-opening win in opposition to San Francisco. Khalil Herbert added 38 yards on 4 makes an attempt.

BRITT OUT

The Texans are with out middle Justin Britt after he was positioned on the reserve/non-football damage checklist this week. Britt began 11 video games final season in his first yr in Houston and began within the opener earlier than leaving the group for what Smith referred to as private causes.

Smith would not present any particulars on why Britt was out this week. Scott Quessenberry, who began in opposition to the Broncos, will fill in at middle.