Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders live updates from Soldier Field (2024)

CHICAGO – Week 6 is here. The Bears and the Commanders will kick off the week on Thursday Night Football at 7:15 p.m. from Soldier Field.

Matt Eberflus, Justin Fields and the Bears will face Ron Rivera, Carson Wentz and the Commanders.

Follow @bears_insider for live updates all game long. Shaw Local Bears beat reporter Sean Hammond is covering the game live from Soldier Field. Follow him on Twitter at @sean_hammond and on Instagram at @bears_reporter. Reporter Jake Bartelson will also be reporting on the game, follow him on Twitter at @JakeBartelson.

Scroll below to catch up on everything you need to know ahead of the game. Stay here all game long for live updates, too.

Mooney comes up short, Commanders win

In a mad comeback effort, Justin Fields scrambled for a huge gain to get down near the goal line. He connected with Darnell Mooney on fourth down, but Mooney bobbled the ball and when he regained control he was inches short of a touchdown.

The Commanders won, 12-7.

Velus Jones Jr. muffs punt; Commanders score TD

Bears rookie Velus Jones Jr. fumbled a fourth-quarter punt for the second time in three weeks. Jones muffed a Commanders punt near his own 10-yard line. The Commanders recovered the football at the 6. It was much like the punt he muffed two weeks ago against the New York Giants, which cost the Bears a chance at a comeback attempt.

On the ensuing possession, Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. punched in a 1-yard touchdown run. Washington went for two but didn’t convert. The Commanders took a lead, 12-7, with 7:21 remaining.

Washington adds a field goal

The Commanders scored a field goal early in the fourth quarter to pull within one point, 7-6. Kicker Joey Slye made a 28-yard field goal try.

The Bears defense batted down a Carson Wentz pass on third-and-goal from the 5-yard line to keep the Commanders out of the end zone.

Bears score 1st touchdown

Bears QB Justin Fields connected with receiver Dante Pettis for a 40-yard touchdown after halftime. It was the first touchdown of the game, and it marked the Bears’ first lead of the game, 7-3.

Bears right guard Teven Jenkins started the half on the bench with a shoulder injury. During the team’s first possession after the break, left guard Lucas Patrick left the game with an apparent injury. Jenkins was forced to come back into the game, even with the shoulder injury. Jenkins played right guard, while backup Michael Schofield entered the game at left guard.

The Bears later announced Patrick is being evaluated for a concussion.

After his touchdown throw, Fields appeared to be banged up a little bit, too. The QB took two hard hits before halftime, and another on his touchdown throw. He was shaking out his left shoulder on the bench and using an elastic band.

Washington scores a field goal

The Commanders added a field goal, the first score of the game, just before halftime. They benefited from two defensive pass interference penalties against the Bears. One came against rookie cornerback Kyler Gordon, the second was against veteran Jaylon Johnson. The Bears sideline did not like the call against Johnson.

But Johnson rebounded from it to break up a pass in the end zone on third down. Washington kicker Joey Slye made a 38-yard field goal to take the lead, 3-0.

Bears defense continues to stand tall

The Bears defense forced its fourth punt on four possession midway through the second quarter. Defensive coordinator Alan Williams has been aggressive, blitzing on third down repeatedly.

The Commanders had only three first downs on their first four possessions. The Bears defense sacked Washington QB Carson Wentz twice on third down during that stretch. The game remained scoreless with just under four minutes to go in the second quarter.

Bears offense stuffed at the goal line

Bears running back Khalil Herbert sparked the offense with a 64-yard run to flip the field position. The Bears made their second trip into the red zone Thursday. For a second, time they came up empty.

On third down, quarterback Justin Fields scrambled and reached for the end zone, but he was ruled just short of the goal line. Fields took a hard hit on the play. On fourth down, the Bears kept the offense on the field and handed off to Herbert, who was stuffed at the line of scrimmage for a turnover on downs.

Fields intercepted in the red zone

Both teams punted on their first possessions of the game. On their second possession, the Bears were driving deep into Commanders territory when quarterback Justin Fields had a pass batted high into the air at the line of scrimmage.

On second-and-goal from the 5-yard line, Fields was looking for tight end Cole Kmet in the end zone when Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen caught the tipped pass for an interception.

Injury updates

Bears top cornerback Jaylon Johnson will make his return to the field Thursday. Johnson has missed three games with a quad injury that he suffered in practice prior to Week 3.

The Bears announced four inactive players Thursday night: receiver N’Keal Harry, cornerback Lamar Jackson, defensive lineman Kingsley Jonathan and tight end Jake Tonges.

That means Harry, who came off injured reserve on Monday, will have to wait another week to make his Bears debut. Harry was close to returning and said as recently as Wednesday that he could play if needed. Harry injured his ankle during training camp and needed surgery. The injury caused him to miss about two months. He returned to practice last week.

Overall, the Bears are relatively healthy. Left guard Cody Whitehair remains on injured reserve with a knee injury. Lucas Patrick has been filling in at left guard for Whitehair, while Teven Jenkins has been playing right guard.

For Washington, rookie receiver Jahan Dotson and veteran tight end Logan Thomas are among the inactives.

What to expect from the Commanders

The key for the Bears will be creating pressure on Washington quarterback Carson Wentz. Wentz has already thrown six interceptions this season and fumbled the football six times. Here are five things to watch in the game Thursday.

Is this game a must-win? Maybe, maybe not. But here’s why it feels like a must-win.

Our staff is feeling bullish on the Bears this week. Check out our staff picks here.

Catch the latest Bears Insider podcast here for your pregame listening.

Can Justin Fields have another good game?

Fields played well in the second half against Minnesota last week. But can he sustain it? That is the big question heading into this matchup.

Fields had season highs in completions and passing yards last week in Minnesota. Just don’t expect the Bears to change their game plan simply because Fields looked good last week. This offense, coordinated by Luke Getsy, will continue to try to establish the run first with running back David Montgomery.

Progress has been slow and steady for Fields under this new coaching staff, but Eberflus believes that Fields is trending in the right direction.

What did I miss this week?

It was a short week ahead of a Thursday night matchup, but here’s what else happened at Halas Hall this week.

[Chicago Bears defense isn’t sacking the QB, but underlying numbers indicate that could change]

[Touchdown scorer picks for Bears vs. Commanders in NFL Week 6]

[Final card for Bears vs. Commanders on Thursday Night Football]

[Chicago Bears notes: WR Velus Jones Jr. scores 1st career touchdown]

[WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette’s fumble on ‘selfish play’ costs Chicago Bears any chance at comeback]