The Bears are the rare team with two placekickers in their building.
Monday night, they might have to use their backup one.
Cairo Santos went 4-for-4 in the Bears’ win against the Raiders a week ago but felt a sharp pain in his quad in the third quarter and was taken off kickoff duty for the rest of the game. He wasn’t spotted during the practice period open to media Tuesday. The Bears don’t have to submit an injury report until Thursday.
Jake Moody, whom the team signed to their practice squad last month, said he’ll be ready if he’s called upon against the Commanders. He’s gained a new perspective since the 49ers cut the former 99th overall pick following Week 1, when he missed a 27-yard field goal and had his 36-yarder blocked.
“Getting cut puts everything into perspective — what’s important in life, what’s not important,” he said. “You think it’s the end of the world. … We’re just playing football. Realizing that and being able to have fun with it while I’m doing it.”
The Bears signed Moody after Santos was told to boot the ball through the back of the end zone in Week 1 and couldn’t. Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower characterized Moody as merely depth in recent weeks, though, and not a threat to Santos’ starting job.
One advantage toward having Moody on the practice squad the past month is his own comfort level — he knows snapper Scott Daly and punter/holder Tory Taylor, and they know what the kicker likes.
“Being in a building surrounded by teammates and coaches, getting to know everybody, I feel a lot more comfortable than if I was on my couch and they were like, ‘Hey, you’re playing this week,’” he said.
He’s getting comfortable off the field, too — he’s moving into his girlfriend’s mother’s house in Northbrook.
Kyler a go
Cornerback Kyler Gordon stayed near Halas Hall during the bye week to rehab his hamstring injury and declared himself ready to make his season debut Monday night.
“I will be playing, yes … ” he said. “I’ve been annoyed not playing. But like, mood’s been good. Just attacking rehab, but definitely excited to be out [there]. That’s all ‘ve been looking forward to is playing with my guys and helping the team.”
Rookie tight end Colston Loveland, the Bears’ first-round pick, also reported progress after hurting his hip in Week 3 and missing the Raiders game. He said didn’t feel strong in and out of his route breaks but “feels god now.”
The Bears were without two defensive starters during the Tuesday viewing period — defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who missed the Raiders game with a knee injury, and safety Jaquan Brisker. Right tackle Darnell Wright, who hurt his elbow against the Cowboys and didn’t play the next week, did not practice but was spotted doing conditioning work on an adjacent field.
Notes
• Defensive end Austin Booker and running back Travis Homer, who are on injured reserve, practiced for the first time this season, opening their 21-day window to return to games. Booker had four sacks this preseason before hurting his knee, and Homer, who hurt his foot, is a special teams stalwart.
• Receiver DJ Moore was annoyed the Bears had a bye week so early in the season, joking that the NFL should set it annually at Week 10.
“We didn’t even really play no games,” he said. “I mean now we got 13-plus straight. That takes a toll, but we are going to find a way to just get through it.”
