Latest news with #JaquanBrisker
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bears Safety Jaquan Brisker Returns After Missing Most of 2024 Season
Bears Safety Jaquan Brisker Returns After Missing Most of 2024 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The second day of Chicago Bears minicamp is officially in the books, and the action is heating up. With new head coach Ben Johnson continuing to shape the team's identity, both the offense and defense turned in strong moments. But while the competition remains fierce on the field, it was the return of a familiar presence that may end up being the highlight of the week. Advertisement Jaquan Brisker, 26, made his long-awaited return to the practice field. Now entering his third season with the Bears, the hard-hitting safety missed 11 games last year due to a concussion sustained in Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers. Bears OTAGetty Images His return was documented in clips from Bears on CHSN, with the full interview available at Brisker spoke at length during media availability, reflecting on the mental and physical toll of being sidelined. 'It was hard being away from football, especially week to week,' he said. 'It was kind of sad, depressing, things like that. But I got over it. It's time to move on, and I'm back now.' Brisker emphasized that he doesn't plan to change his aggressive play style. 'I'm going to continue to play the same way,' he said. 'That was my first time really having a contact injury. He hit his head on my neck… really just moving on from that.' He explained that the injury was a vestibular concussion and offered insight into his recovery process: 'Just really working side to side, catching tennis balls, just doing different things to get my nervous system back right. That's really what it was about.' Advertisement This marks Brisker's third concussion in as many seasons, but before the setback, he was trending upward. In 2023, he posted 105 total tackles, 9 passes defended, and two forced fumbles—earning recognition as one of the Bears' most promising defenders. Jaquan BriskerGetty Images Despite his concussion history, Brisker made it clear that retirement was never an option. His return now is more than symbolic; it's strategic. As the Bears continue to build momentum this offseason, having Brisker healthy and back in the mix could help stabilize a defense in need of leadership. Time will tell if he can stay on the field—but for now, his presence is a welcome sight. Advertisement Related: Bears Rookie Draws Buzz Online With Viral Video Moment Related: Bears Star Featured in Madden 26 Trailer This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Bear's Den, June 5, 2025
WE WANT YOU! Would you like to show your Chicago Bears spirit to the world? I'm starting a feature where Windy City Gridiron readers can share pictures of themselves and their families and friends in Bears attire. Simply email a picture to me at the following address: denmasterken at aol dot com. The pictures need to be clear, and full resolution (i.e. full size from your phone if that's how you take them). Include any description information you like along with the photo! Advertisement THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL DENMASTER KEN'S VIDEO GRAB BAG BEARRRSSSS Column: Chicago Bears' Jaquan Brisker moving on from concussions - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker said he feels good and is eager to prove he can remain healthy after a concussion cost him 12 games last season. Tyrique Stevenson only too eager to leave Hail Mary talk behind - SI - A different defensive scheme and new DBs coach occupy Tyrique Stevenson's mind these days rather than the memory of last year's major gaffe in pass coverage. Caleb Williams validates Ben Johnson's expectations at Chicago Bears minicamp - SI - Caleb Williams had his best practice of the offseason Wednesday, confirming much of what coach Ben Johnson expected from his star quarterback. Advertisement Bears minicamp observations: Best Caleb Williams practice yet? - SI - Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson found flaws in his QB's performance but admitted the second minicamp practice in a light rain was one where improvement was apparent. Bears' Stevenson puts Hail Mary lapse in past: 'I owned it' - 670 - Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson may forever be associated with his decision-making lapse in Chicago's last-second loss to Washington on a Hail Mary last October. POLISH SAUSAGE Browns are happy to potentially get $600 million in state money for new stadium - NBC Sports - The proprietors of the Factory of Sadness are happy with progress they're making toward building a new one. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON Chicago Bears have 94-yard TD drive in 2 minute drill - Windy City Gridiron - The defense has been getting the best of the offense, but perhaps today they turned a corner. Advertisement Does WR Tyler Scott have a spot on the 2025 Chicago Bears? - Windy City Gridiron - Scott will have to battle for a roster spot this training camp. WCG's 2025 NFC North player rankings: Nos. 41-50 - Windy City Gridiron - In the first article of a five-part roundtable series, the WCG staff ranks the top 50 players in the NFC North heading into 2025. Identifying The NFL's Five Most Improved Teams - Windy City Gridiron - With the bulk of the NFL's acquisition period behind us, it's time to take a deeper dive into the five most improved teams through yet another busy offseason Who is your favorite defensive lineman in Chicago Bears history? - Windy City Gridiron - There's no shortage of options on this question! Advertisement SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE PAGE 2nd City Gridiron is our video home! So hit the link and help us grow that brand! THE RULES Windy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following are not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender-based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc. 2nd City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bears Banter hosted by Bill Zimmerman, Bear & Balanced from Jeff Berckes and Lester A. Wiltfong Jr., Bears Over Beers featuring a rotating host line-up of Ryan Droste, Khari Thompson, Jacob Infante, and Bryan Orenchuk, Making Monsters with Taylor Doll, Bear Bones from Dr. Mason West, and an occasional T Formation Conversation from Lester; Steven's Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert is another fun one. Advertisement Powered by RedCircle Click on our names to follow us on Twitter: Jeff Berckes; Dr. Patti Curl; Ryan Droste; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Dan Durkin; Taylor Doll; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Dr. Ken Mitchell; Danny Meehan; Bryan Orenchuk; Jack R Salo; Khari Thompson; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; T.J. Starman; Khari Thompson; Dr. Mason West; Bill Zimmerman; 2nd City Gridiron; Like WCG on Facebook; Like 2nd City Gridiron on Facebook. A few of us are also over at Bluesky. More from
CBS News
6 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Jaquan Brisker glad to be back practicing with Bears after recovering from concussion
The Bears held their second day of mandatory minicamp at Halas Hall on Tuesday, and Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson was among the two excused absences. But the return to active duty of another defensive back, Jaquan Brisker, was a welcome sight. Brisker said it felt great to be back on the football field. The Bears safety missed the final 11 games last season because of a concussion. "It was hard, you know, being away from football — especially week to week. You know, it was kind of, you know, getting sad, depressing, things like that, Brisker said. "But you know, got over it. It's time to move on, and I'm back now." Getting over it was not easy for Brisker. He said because of the type of concussion he had, he basically had to retrain his nervous system — doing a lot of side-to-side movements and getting his eyes moving around. This was also his third diagnosed concussion in three seasons, but Brisker says there was no talk about retiring. No, not with no one — especially not myself, not with my parents," Brisker said. "I feel like if my parents, you know, say something, it's deep. So if it didn't come from them, or come from me, I didn't hear it, to be honest." Brisker said he was not worried about himself. "No, I'm not. I'm good. I'm past that point. I'm really moving on, so I'm just focused on playing ball," he said. "I'm really clear, man. I'm really good." Brisker said his teammates, especially Montez Sweat, helped him through the toughest times last season. He added that this is just another bump in the road, and now No. 9 is back and on the field to make plays.
NBC Sports
6 days ago
- Health
- NBC Sports
Bears S Jaquan Brisker hasn't considered retirement despite concussion history
Bears safety Jaquan Brisker has had a concussion in each of his first three NFL seasons, with the worst one coming last season. Despite that, Brisker said he has not considered retirement. He also does not plan to change his playing style. 'No, I'm not,' Brisker, 26, said Wednesday, via 670 The Score. 'I'm not. I'm good. I'm past that point. I'm really moving on. I'm just focused on playing ball. I'm going to continue to play the same way.' Brisker's most recent head injury occurred Oct. 6 against the Panthers. He did not play again, missing the final 12 games. He said he was feeling 'off' with dizziness and vertigo while in concussion protocol. So, the Bears sent him to the University of Pittsburgh to see a specialist, who diagnosed Brisker with a vestibular concussion. Brisker underwent physical therapy to re-train his nervous system. 'It was hard being away from football,' Brisker said. 'Especially week to week, it was kind of being sad and depressing, things like that. But I got over it. It's time to move on. I'm back now.' Brisker, a second-round pick of the Bears in 2022, has appeared in 35 games in his three seasons. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
New York Times
29-05-2025
- General
- New York Times
Bears OTA takeaways: Why Ben Johnson worked with Caleb Williams on body language
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Ben Johnson doesn't want the Chicago Bears to be a 'palms-up team.' That's a message he's sent to quarterback Caleb Williams and the rest of the players this spring as he sets his standard. 'Body language is a huge thing,' Johnson said after Wednesday's OTA. 'Demeanor. We don't want to be a 'palms-up team' where we're questioning everything. No, no, no. To me, that's a little bit of a sign of weakness. We don't want to exhibit that from anybody on the team.' Advertisement Sports Illustrated reported that Johnson had shown Williams clips from last season when the quarterback could've responded better to getting hit. 'There's adversity that's gonna hit every team every season,' Johnson said. 'You don't know when it's gonna happen. We might lose a few games. We might have some turnovers.' Williams had two Wednesday — linebacker Tremaine Edmunds picked him off in team drills, and safety Jaquan Brisker had an interception in seven-on-seven. Practice is set up for players to bounce back quickly from those. They get right back in the huddle and go to the next play. It's tougher in games, and Johnson clearly observed ways Williams reacted to a very tumultuous rookie season and wants it to look better. 'Early in the process, we sat down and watched some tape from a year ago, and we talked it through,' Johnson said. 'It's like … is this what we want to look like or not? We come to an agreement, no it's not, OK, we learn from it, we move on to the next thing.' Williams used his media availability to move on from the excerpt from ESPN's Seth Wickersham's upcoming book on quarterbacks, reiterating the most important takeaway — he ultimately decided he wanted to come to the Bears. He knew the challenge, and he embraced it. Now he has a new coach to help him get the franchise on the right track. 'I think y'all have been able to see it when (Johnson) gets up here, you get a little taste of how he is. He's always laser-focused,' Williams said. 'He encourages and he pushes you and challenges you to be at your best, as a team, offense, defense, special teams. Doesn't matter position. 'Sharp. And he's a guy that wants to win. … And to be honest, he's consistent with it every day. … So far it's been awesome, and I think everybody's been enjoying it.' Last week, Kiran Amegadjie was the Bears' starter at left tackle during their open practice inside the Walter Payton Center. This week, it was second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo. Darnell Wright was at right tackle. Advertisement 'We're moving guys around,' Johnson said. 'We want to give everyone an opportunity, so, you know, Darnell, we feel pretty comfortable keeping him (on) the right side right now. So the left side until we get Braxton (Jones) back in the mix, it's going to be a little bit of musical chairs.' Jones, though, is weeks away from returning after his 2024 season ended with ankle surgery. It's also notable that Wright has remained on the right side. 'We're going to let the plan play out, which is keep him there for the time being and let these guys battle it out on the left side,' Johnson said. 'And we can decide to change course whenever we need to.' Linebacker T.J. Edwards and nickel corner Kyler Gordon weren't on the field Wednesday. Johnson said the two veterans are working through soft-tissue injuries. Rookie pass catchers Colston Loveland and Luther Burden, who are also working through injuries, were absent. Jones, cornerback Jaylon Johnson, guard/center Ryan Bates, cornerback Zah Frazier, safety Elijah Hicks, cornerback Terell Smith, running back Ian Wheeler and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga also were not spotted. Practice is voluntary, and Ben Johnson said he expects full attendance next week at the mandatory veteran minicamp. Defensive end Montez Sweat showed up to voluntary OTAs determined to bounce back from his down season last year. 'Coming off a disappointing year, I thought it was important to be here,' said Sweat, who had 5 1/2 sacks in 16 games last season for the Bears after making six in nine games after being acquired from the Washington Commanders during the 2023 season. New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is also changing the Bears' scheme. So there's plenty for Sweat and others to learn. 'He's a very complex individual,' Sweat said. 'He has a lot of fronts and schemes and things that he can attack the offense with. He's a great guy, smart.' Advertisement The faces have changed in the Bears' defensive line room with the team signing defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett in free agency and drafting defensive tackle Shemar Turner. But Sweat remains their best defender. 'You definitely use (last season) as motivation, knowing that you didn't have as good of a year as you wanted to or could have,' Sweat said. 'So it's in the back of my mind, but I'm sincerely just moving forward, working on what's next.' Quarterback Case Keenum thought about retiring after last season. He spent 2024 on injured reserve, but when the Bears called, he came to town and sat down with Johnson for what was supposed to be a 15-minute conversation. 'It felt like a couple of hours later. I'm like, 'This is a special place,'' he said. 'Watched Caleb from last year and was like, 'Holy cow, this guy is really good and he's got a chance to be a lot better.' And it's been great.' Keenum is on his eighth NFL team, having entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2012 with the Texans. At 37, he's the oldest player on the team — nearly a decade older than offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. He has also played in 80 games and has a playoff win on his resume. Despite all that experience, he had never shared a sideline with Johnson. 'I haven't been with him in the past, but he came highly recommended from a number of people that I trust,' Johnson said. 'He's got skins on the wall. He's been to playoff games. He's won playoff games. He's done it on a high level. He's been the No. 2 quarterback at a number of different places as well. So his experience level is off the charts. He's seen a little bit of everything that this league has to offer.' Keenum is competing with Tyson Bagent to be Williams' backup, but the Bears will keep three quarterbacks on the roster. Johnson said they'll determine the No. 2 in training camp. Advertisement 'I've competed my whole life,' Keenum said. 'I show up every day and hope my locker is not cleaned out, man. That's how I treat every day.' Included in Keenum's decade-plus in the league working with a bunch of quarterbacks is the 2023 season when he backed up Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud in Houston. He's comfortable in this spot and knows how to work with Williams. 'He's just a sponge,' Keenum said. 'For being an all-world talent, a guy who, since high school, has been the best player on any field anywhere he has ever stepped on, to be humble enough to ask me questions and watch and learn, has been really refreshing to see. A guy that young and that talented but still takes to what I have to say, it's been really fun.' Before the Bears host the Miami Dolphins (Aug. 10) and Buffalo Bills (Aug. 17) in the preseason, the teams will share the practice fields at Halas Hall. Johnson said the plan is to have one joint practice with each team. 'It's a good opportunity to break up camp a little bit,' Johnson said. 'Controlled setting, yet high, high intensity. I think the competitive nature of just about everybody, once you get in between those white lines against an opponent like that, it goes up another notch. It'll be at that point of training camp where we've had, call it 12, 13, 14 practices in.'
