Bears Place Trust in Jake Moody Amid Cairo Santos Injury Concerns
The Chicago Bears are throwing their support behind rookie kicker Jake Moody as he prepares for a significant challenge this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. With Cairo Santos sidelined due to a right thigh injury, Moody is set to take center stage once more, following his impressive game-winning field goal against the Washington Commanders.
A Test on the Lakefront
Moody’s kicking journey continues in what promises to be a testing environment. The forecast for Sunday’s match indicates a likelihood of rain, presenting a true test of his mettle at the lakefront. His previous outing showcased his resilience, nailing a 38-yard field goal in challenging conditions during Monday night’s victory.
With Santos ruled out, the Bears have limited options, as the only other player absent from the game will be strongside linebacker Noah Sewell, who remains in concussion protocol. However, there’s a silver lining: defensive tackle Grady Jarrett has returned to practice on a limited basis after missing two games due to a knee injury and is considered questionable for the game.
Injury Updates and Optimism
Wide receiver DJ Moore has been cleared to play after overcoming a groin injury, which also led to a brief hospital stay on Monday night. Meanwhile, running back D’Andre Swift participated in his second consecutive limited practice, also dealing with a groin issue and remains questionable. Bears head coach Ben Johnson expressed cautious optimism regarding Swift’s status, stating, “I’m hopeful.”
The Bears are also monitoring a few players listed as questionable, including defensive end Austin Booker, running back Travis Homer, and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga, all of whom have resumed full practices.
Preparation for Moody’s Next Challenge
As the Bears prepare for the Saints, Johnson emphasized the organization’s commitment to ensuring Moody is well-prepared. “We’re doing everything that we can think of to get Jake ready,” Johnson remarked. He underscored the efforts of special teams coach Hightower, who is leaving no stone unturned in training Moody. The team even arranged for a left-footed kicker to mimic the Saints’ punter during practice, allowing Moody to acclimate to different kicking scenarios.
In his last game, Moody went a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals from distances of 38 to 48 yards. However, he has yet to test the waters from 50 yards or beyond—a range where Santos has excelled, with a remarkable 23 field goals of that distance over the past two seasons, tying him for the most in Bears history alongside Robbie Gould.
As the Bears gear up for Sunday’s showdown, all eyes will be on Moody to see if he can rise to the occasion and deliver once again in Santos’ absence.
