Linebacker Roquan Smith did not practice Wednesday because of a hip injury he apparently suffered against the Packers on Sunday.
His status for the Bears’ game against the Texans on Sunday at Soldier Field is uncertain. Coach Matt Eberflus did not divulge the injury during his media availability prior to practice Wednesday, so he was not asked about it.
Smith, who did not participate in training camp until Aug. 20 as a contract “hold-in” and did not play in the preseason, has had a statistically productive but underwhelming start to the season. He had 11 tackles, but no impact plays, in the Bears’ 27-10 loss to the Packers on Sunday night. He had nine tackles and a half sack against the 49ers in the season opener.
“I thought he played solid [against the Packers],” Eberflus said Monday. “We’re working with those linebackers, working downhill and playing on the other side of the line of scrimmage. That’s both the linebackers [Smith and Nick Morrow]. [That] helps our defense align, take off the double teams. We have to do a better job with that.”
Also missing practice Wednesday were wide receiver Velus Jones (hamstring), tight end Ryan Griffin (achilles) and safety Dane Cruikshank (hamstring).
Kmet optimistic
Tight end Cole Kmet, pegged by many for a breakout season, has no catches in the first two games, with two targets and one drop.
“It just kind of is what it is,” Kmet said. “This is the game of football, so you just have to deal with it, remain optimistic and keep going to work every day. We have a bunch of hungry guys and I know with our work ethic, things will turn around.”
But it’s only Week 3.
“I’m feeling good,” Kmet said. “Blocking-wise, I’ve been a big part of that. So [I’m] feeling good about that and opening up holds for David [Montgomery] and all the running backs.”
As for fantasy football owners who speculated on Kmet … “Fantasy is like the worst thing to ever happen in football,” Kmet said. “[It] totally takes away from the team aspect of winning. So … those are my thoughts on fantasy.”
Center of attention
Center Lucas Patrick, who has played right guard in the first two games as he recovers from a broken thumb he suffered early in training camp, practiced without a cast and did some snapping in practice. He is expected to play center when he’s ready.
Welcome, rookie
Rookie defensive end Kingsley Jonathan, playing in his first NFL game after signing with the Bears on Sept. 1, had two tackles in six snaps. An undrafted free agent from Syracuse who was cut by the Bills on Aug. 30, Jonathan credited his coaches for preparing him to be ready for defensive snaps.
““When I got my name called I wasn’t surprised to go in there,” Jonathan said.. “It was just being on the same field as Robert Quinn — it took minute to [get settled in]. But after that, I got in the groove of it, so that was good.”
