Bears notes: DJ Moore vs. Commanders, Jayden Daniels update and Bears make IR moves
DJ Moore thoroughly enjoyed playing the Washington Commanders last season. The reason is obvious.
The star Bears receiver had 230 yards and three touchdowns in that Week 5 win, a career day in an excellent season overall.
Moore thought that performance might come up in his press conference prior to Sunday’s game against the Commanders. The Maryland alum pondered his response to it, wondering whether he’d give an honest answer or something more politically correct.
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He was asked for both, and it was a hybrid that kept him off the bulletin board.
“I think about it,” Moore said. “230 don’t go out your mind when you playing a team from last year. But it’s a new year and they get new people, some new people, so we’ll see what happens.”
The Bears have been pushing the ball downfield more often these days, with plenty of good downfield options. Moore is the best at that, and could have some opportunities against the Commanders defense. It might be a little harder, though. These Commanders have given up 17 explosive (20-plus) pass plays through seven games, which ranks roughly in the middle of the pack. Last year, however, the Commanders allowed 60 explosive pass plays in 2023. That’s a fair amount.
Trying to bottle something from a great game is hard with so many variables involved in each one, but what Moore remembers from last year’s Washington game is repeatable for sure.
“Just going out there, playing free and just being me,” Moore said. “That’s what I really think that came down to.”
Jayden Daniels misses practice
Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels did not practice on Wednesday due to a ribs injury suffered in a Week 7 win over Carolina. He didn’t even take the podium for his weekly press conference. Marcus Mariota subbed in for him then, as he did against the Panthers.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said he’ll continue to go through the rehab process and off-field work as normal in case he can go, and that playing Caleb Williams doesn’t enhance his motivation to play Sunday. It’s about being able to do things that make him a special player, Quinn said.
Mariota will start if Daniels isn’t able to play.
Two practice windows open
The Bears have formally designated running back Travis Homer to return off of injured reserve, opening a 21-day practice for him to prepare for game action. The Bears can activate him at any point during that timeframe, though he would revert back to season-ending IR if the team didn’t move him to the active roster. Homer suffered a finger injury earlier this season that required surgery
Offensive lineman Larry Borom received a return designation before the season started, but his practice window was also opened on Wednesday. Borom suffered an ankle injury during the preseason finale at Kansas City.
Bears participation report