With receiver Taylor Gabriel and tight end Ben Braunecker still in concussion protocol, the Bears will turn to a couple of young guns to step up in their absence.
Second-year receiver Javon Wims and rookie tight end Jesper Horsted both flashed last Thursday in a 24-20 win over the Lions. Wims tied a career day — five catches for 56 yards. Horsted, playing in his second career game, caught his first career touchdown pass — a 18-yard dime from Mitchell Trubisky in the third quarter.
Wims filled in for the injured Gabriel last Thursday and saw starter snaps with 54, including 16 runs. He caught five passes on his six targets.
Wims and Horsted project as intriguing prospects for the Bears in the future, but especially heading into these final four games.
As the Bears are in the thick of a NFC Wild Card push, they’re going to need their young core — among them Wims and Horsted — to step up against some quality opponents.
That all starts Thursday as the Bears host the Cowboys (6-6) at Soldier Field in primetime.
