Bears safety Kevin Byard knows how not to tackle Derrick Henry. He had a front-row view of defenders bouncing off the hulking running back when they played together with the Titans from 2016 to 2023.
“Don’t go high, I’ll tell you that,” he said. “I’ve been on the sideline and watching that guy stiff-arm everybody into the dirt.”
On Sunday in Baltimore, Byard will face Henry — a good friend and, he said, a future Pro Football Hall of Famer — for the first time as a pro.
“I’m excited for that and [will] try to avoid that stiff-arm,” he said.
The Bears have plenty to be worried about when it comes to the Ravens’ offense, starting with quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was limited in practice for a second consecutive day Thursday as he tries to recover from a hamstring injury that cost him the last two games. The Ravens will issue a game designation for him Friday.
The 1-5 Ravens are desperate for a win, and Jackson has lost only three times in 27 career games against the NFC.
In terms of the Bears’ concerns, Henry ranks a close second. His 73.2 rushing yards per game ranks ninth in the NFL but is still about 40 yards below last year’s mark. He had 1,931 rushing yards last season, the 11th-most all time.
“You gotta be able to hit him; you gotta be able to wrap up,” defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said Thursday. “Essentially, you’ve got to be able to take his pistons away and take his legs away from him in terms of his ability to drive through contact.
“I think more important than anything else, it’s like, how many hats can we get to the ball? I think that will be critical.”
Moore and Swift back
Wide receiver DJ Moore (hip) and running back D’Andre Swift (groin) returned to practice after sitting out the day before.
Four others remained out, however. Tight end Cole Kmet (back) and Tyrique Stevenson (groin) have not participated the last two days after getting hurt against the Saints. Backup tackle Braxton Jones and backup running back Roschon Johnson (back) sat out, too. Guard Joe Thuney was given a veteran rest day.
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle praised Moore’s toughness. He spent an extra night in the Washington area last week after hurting his groin and has since managed a hip injury.
“DJ has done a great job of playing through things,” Doyle said. “He just keeps coming back. A lot of times, you can have a receiver on your team or a player that might be higher paid that maybe has a different attitude toward things. He does not. He is one of us, and I love the way he competes.”
Speaking for the first time since he was hurt against the Commanders, Moore said it wasn’t necessarily mind over matter.
“I don’t have to trick my body,” he said. “Me and my body are one. We just go out there and do what we do.”
Notes
Two Bears defenders were added to the injury report after practicing in full Wednesday — linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (ankle) and cornerback Kyler Gordon (groin).
† Kicker Cairo Santos, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and cornerback Nahshon Wright, all starters, were upgraded from limited participants Wednesday to full go Thursday.
† Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was out sick again, was the only player besides Jackson on the Ravens’ injury report.
† The Ravens will wear their black alternate jerseys with white pants Sunday. The Bears will wear their regular white jerseys and navy pants.
