His injury was labeled week to week coming out of the Colts game. The designation for DE Trent Murphy unfortunately has not changed. His knee injury had him sidelined again on Wednesday.
In his absence, Buffalo's successful 'green package' on passing downs has to be adjusted. On Monday night, Lorenzo Alexander moved outside to the left defensive end position to replace Murphy with Jordan Phillips coming on to line up at defensive tackle in Alexander's normal spot.
Naturally head coach Sean McDermott would prefer to have Murphy in the lineup, but he was generally pleased with what that front four was able to produce in his absence.
"Yeah I thought those guys, they worked extremely hard," he said. "Sometimes that's half the battle when you look to affect the quarterback, is just work ethic inside. I'm not talking about overall effort, I'm just talking about hands never stopping, feet never stopping, the urgency, the intensity of the rush, I thought was there. Could it be better? Yes, it can be better, and it has to be better as we continue to move forward."
Buffalo is facing a very mobile quarterback this week in Mitchell Trubisky. How that could impact the Bills pass rush package in terms of personnel remains to be seen on Sunday.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
LB Lorenzo Alexander – rest
QB Josh Allen – elbow
QB Derek Anderson – concussion
LB Tremaine Edmunds – concussion
DE Trent Murphy – knee
DT Kyle Williams - rest
The Bears have two of their star players nursing injuries. WR Allen Robinson and LB Khalil Mack are dealing with groin and ankle injuries respectively. Neither practiced on Wednesday. Head coach Matt Nagy gave indication that neither player will participate until Friday's practice and would do so on a limited basis. Mack did not play in last week's game against the Jets when he was a game-time decision.
Knowing the Bears have three consecutive division games following Sunday's game with the Bills, Chicago may choose to sit players like Robinson and Mack another week to get fully healthy.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
TE Ben Braunecker - concussion
G Kyle Long - foot
LB Khalil Mack - ankle
WR Allen Robinson - groin
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
WR Taylor Gabriel - knee
G Eric Kush - neck
DT Bilal Nichols - knee
