"LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Each week, as Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen builds his plan to attack his next opponent, he has often done so by having to get creative. It's a similar challenge to visiting a grocery store with a detailed list and discovering that they've run out of the most important ingredients required to make a recipe. The Bears' injuries on defense have forced Allen's unit to live in a state of flux."
"C.J. Gardner-Johnson was signed in late October after being cut by the Texans and Ravens, and he has filled the void at nickel corner, with Kyler Gordon's soft tissue injuries forcing him in and out of the lineup. Linebacker D'Marco Jackson went from playing primarily on special teams to filling in for Tremaine Edmunds since late November. Jackson has already earned game balls for his performances against Pittsburgh and Cleveland, and he is the reigning NFC defensive player of the week."
Dennis Allen adapts weekly defensive game plans because injuries have forced constant personnel changes. The Bears started 10-4 while coping with multiple absences on defense. Nahshon Wright, signed for depth, started 13 of 14 games in place of Jaylon Johnson and leads the team with three forced fumbles and five interceptions. C.J. Gardner-Johnson filled the nickel spot after being signed in late October amid Kyler Gordon's soft-tissue issues. Linebacker D'Marco Jackson moved from special teams into Tremaine Edmunds' role, earning game balls and the NFC defensive player of the week. Allen previously coached all three players and leverages familiarity to plug gaps.
Read at ESPN.com
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