Bears rule out Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon vs. Commanders

CHICAGO -- The Bears' secondary will be missing two starters -- safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Kyler Gordon -- during Sunday's game at Washington.

Brisker (concussion) and Gordon (hamstring) were ruled out on Friday after being sidelined from practice for three straight days.

Brisker has been in the concussion protocol since Oct. 7 and had "a couple more steps to go" when coach Matt Eberflus addressed his injury Monday. Gordon suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter against Jacksonville in Week 6 and did not play in the second half.

Safety Elijah Hicks and nickel Josh Blackwell will start in place of Brisker and Gordon, respectively. This is Hicks' second start of the season after totaling five tackles, a fumble recovery and pass breakup against the Jaguars. Blackwell intercepted Trevor Lawrence and also came away with a pass deflection in Week 6.

"Those guys were going to step up and step in and do a really good job, and they did," Eberflus said of the Bears' backup defensive backs. "It's because they've been in our system. They know the positions. They know how we operate. They know the fundamentals and the basics of our system, and to plug and play those guys in there, it wasn't that big of a step for them."

Chicago also released wide receiver/running back Velus Jones Jr. and fullback Khari Blasingame on Friday. Jones, a return specialist, has been inactive since Week 2 after fumbling a kickoff return in the season-opening win against the Tennessee Titans.

Jones, a third-round pick from Tennessee, was part of general manager Ryan Poles' first draft class in 2022. He is subject to waivers.

Bears offensive tackle Larry Borom (ankle) and running back Travis Homer (finger) returned to practice this week in conjunction with their 21-day window opening to return from injured reserve. Both are listed as questionable against Washington.

Chicago has two open roster spots after releasing Jones and Blasingame.