LAKE FOREST – Bears coach Matt Eberflus met with reporters Monday, a day after his team won its first home game since Sept. 2022, beating the Las Vegas Raiders 30-12 on Sunday.

Eberflus will need to navigate various injuries, including to starting quarterback Justin Fields, while trying to win a second consecutive game for the first time during his two-year tenure when they travel to play the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Here are three of the biggest takeaways from Eberflus’ media session Monday.

On injuries to Fields, others

Eberflus said there wasn’t a change in the status of Fields’ dislocated thumb and that he would be doubtful to play against the Chargers.

“He continues to progress,” Eberflus said. “He’s just not there yet.”

Fields has been working with trainers, and Eberflus wouldn’t specify what didn’t happen in order for Fields to progress. Eberflus said he thinks they’re on the right path about Fields not needing surgery.

Right guard Nate Davis (ankle) still was considered week-to-week and won’t be available Sunday after suffering the injury against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6.

Eberflus said running back Roschon Johnson looked good and had to clear one last hurdle in concussion protocol. Johnson has been out the past two games after suffering a concussion against the Washington Commanders in Week 5.

Safety Jaquan Brisker was tested for a concussion and cleared.

Eberflus said there would be an update on left tackle Braxton Jones on Wednesday. Jones has been on injured reserve since Sept. 20 with a neck injury.

On Bagent’s ability to guide offense

Eberflus remained confident in Tyson Bagent a day after the backup quarterback earned his first win. Eberflus wasn’t surprised that Bagent looked comfortable and had the timing right running an NFL offense in his first career start.

“Yeah, it must be those 7,000 passes he’s thrown in his life,” Eberflus said, joking. “Yeah, I think that he’s got a good knack for that. He really does. He understands the play design. He understands where it’s supposed to go, and he gets rid of it in a timely fashion. Even when it was off schedule, in terms of the pressure, he was able, because he’s athletic enough to be able to evade.”

Bagent completed 21 of his 29 attempts for 162 yards while also rushing for 24. He threw his first career touchdown on a 5-yard pass to D’Onta Foreman, which capped a 15-play drive in the third quarter that took 8:16.

“He continues to progress. He’s just not there yet.”

—  Matt Eberflus, Bears head coach on Justin Fields

Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy kept it simple for Bagent in his first start. All of Bagent’s pass attempts were within 20 yards of the line of scrimmage, according to Next Gen Stats, and he completed two of his four attempts between 10 and 20 yards.

Eberflus said the opponent and Bagent’s first career start played a role in the offensive game plan. Even though Nathan Peterman came in for a Hail Mary attempt at the end of the first half, Eberflus is confident Bagent can open things up more for as long as he’s playing.

“Oh, yeah, no question, no question,” Eberflus said. “Yeah, he’s a rhythm and timing passer, and he’s got all the ability to do all those things.”

On Bears’ improved run defense

The Bears allowed the Raiders to run for 39 yards Sunday, the second-fewest yard they’ve allowed this year. The fewest was 29 yards two weeks before against the Commanders.

The defense has allowed an average of 38 rushing yards per game the past three games. It also ranks fifth in the league with the fewest rushing yards per game (82.3) and eighth in total rushing yards allowed (576).

“Run defense is a group effort; it takes all 11 to have a good run defense,” Eberflus said. “We’ve had some good ones.”

Eberflus said an efficient run defense starts with the defensive tackles in the middle and linebackers creating little space for running backs to get through. Then the defensive ends need to do a good job of setting the edge in order to squeeze the rusher off, while the last level is the defensive backs finishing tackles.

Eberflus is encouraged by what he’s seen recently but wants to see more in the second half of the season.

“We need to keep doing what we’re doing and do it better,” Eberflus said. “It’s every man.”