Bulls News: Sanborn talks Tremaine Edmunds, Terrell Lewis |
CHICAGO - The Bears were just riddled with injuries last season. Receiver Darnell Mooney tore his ACL, safety Eddie Jackson was injured in the same game, and linebacker Jack Sanborn also missed the last three games of the season due to injury. He is back now and getting in a lot of practice.
Usually, Sanborn plays the Sam linebacker position. However, given that the Bears’ new addition, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, is currently unable to practice in full, Sanborn has stepped into the Mike linebacker position for now. While some players might see this as a hindrance, Sanborn finds it beneficial to play in both linebacker positions. “For me, I like to be able to play any position that they have me play and, you know, I like to, linebacker’s linebacker,” Sanborn stated. “As long as you know what you’re doing, a lot of similarities between whatever position you play. It’s still, at the end of the day, linebacker.” Edmunds is working on his return, though. He is currently in a ramp-up period. There does not seem to be any question about his status for the season opener against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, September 10 (3:25 p.m./FOX). “I think it’s encouraging just to kind of see him come back, and he’s entering that kind of ramp-up period,” Sanborn said regarding Edmunds. “I’m sure; it sounds like he’s doing pretty well too. So I’m sure we’re going to see him get out there and get some reps, too.” Edmunds will be a crucial part of the Bears defense next season. The two-time Pro Bowler spent his first five years in the league playing for the Buffalo Bills, going to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and 2020. He has recorded 565 tackles, 32 of them for a loss. He also has recorded 18 quarterback hits. Getting to the quarterback was quite a battle for the Bears last year, as they only had 20 sacks, the lowest out of any team last season. The preseason has also shown some promise for that statistic to improve. In the first preseason game, the Bears defense recorded eight sacks spread among seven players. Terrell Lewis is one of those players who had two sacks in that game and another in the following game against the Indianapolis Colts. Lewis has stood out not only on paper but also to players like Sanborn. “I mean, he’s getting that football,” Sanborn said. “I think that’s what everybody is, what everybody sees, just getting after the ball and causing big plays. I think that’s, what, back-to-back games where he’s had a strip sack, and those are (plays) that end up winning you football games. So, I think it’s been awesome.” The final preseason game on Saturday, August 26 (12 p.m./FOX 32) will be the last chance to secure a spot on the 53-man roster before teams must cut down their roster on Tuesday, August 29, by 3 p.m. This presents the last opportunity for Lewis and others to earn their spot. Those who do will be playing in the aforementioned season opener against the Packers. Their offense has changed quite a bit, which should make for quite an exciting matchup.
