Bears rookie cornerback Reddy Steward punches the ball away from Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., and safety Elijah Hicks scoops up the fumble.

Bears safety Elijah Hicks' breaks up a pass in the end zone to force the Jaguars to settle for a field goal.

Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards punches the ball out of Jaguars tight end Evan Engram's arms, and safety Elijah Hicks recovers the fumble.

Anthony "Spice" Adams' holiday spirit is in full force, Bears players were surprised with holiday sweaters this season.

Rookie DB Elijah Hicks falls on the loose ball in the end zone to extend the Bears' lead after it was dropped by Seahawks punt returner Cade Johnson.

Check out highlights of new Bears defensive back Elijah Hicks during his time at Cal.

New Bears safety Elijah Hicks addresses the media for the first time after being picked 254th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.

See the broadcast announcement as the Bears select California safety Elijah Hicks with the 254th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft

Gabby Hajduk previews the Bears' special teams, which features a returning group of specialists, new faces in the return game and several core weapons on the coverage units. 

Senior writer Larry Mayer breaks down a deep and talented secondary led by cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon along with safeties Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker.

The Bears on Wednesday ruled safety Elijah Hicks (ankle) and offensive lineman Ryan Bates (concussion) out of Thursday's Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit.

With Jaquan Brisker ruled out and Tyrique Stevenson unlikely to play Sunday in London, the Bears are expected to start reserve DBs Elijah Hicks and Jaylon Jones against the Jaguars.

The Bears' special teams unit features the most accurate field-goal kicker in franchise history in Cairo Santos and the longest tenured player on their roster in long-snapper Patrick Scales.

The Bears secondary features a wealth of continuity and experience thanks to four returning starters — cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, nickel back Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker — and a veteran free-agent addition in safety Kevin Byard III.

The Bears have played without several of their top defensive backs so far this season, but a handful of opportunistic reserves—led by Greg Stroman Jr. and Terell Smith—have stepped up and more than filled the void.

With a talented mix of experience and youth, the Bears' defensive backfield could be one of their strongest position groups this season.

The foundation that Bears general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus built in their first season together is fueled by 20 promising players who are all 25 or younger.

Two pro football analytics experts have ranked the Bears' 2022 rookie class—led by defensive backs Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker—as the eighth most productive in the NFL this season.

Through two preseason games, several first-year Bears players have contributed big plays on special teams, including rookie receiver Velus Jones Jr., who returned a punt 48 yards last Thursday in Seattle.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the Bears' most improved player, the competitors for the punt and kickoff return jobs and the undrafted free agent who has made the biggest impact as a Bears rookie over the last 50 years.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses how rookie safety Elijah Hicks has performed in training camp, the player he's most interested to watch practice in pads and how aggressive coach Matt Eberflus will be on fourth down.

Bears top draft picks Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker have joined returning veterans Jaylon Johnson and Eddie Jackson to bolster a promising young secondary.

The Bears have signed seven of their 11 draft picks to four-year contracts. All seven were selected last Saturday on Day 3 of the draft with picks that the Bears acquired in four trades that day.

With back-to-back selections in the seventh round of the draft Saturday, the Bears chose Cal safety Elijah Hicks at No. 254 and North Carolina State punter Trenton Gill at No. 255.