Big-money edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue wanted No. 91, the jersey number he’s worn his entire career.
He’ll get it.
While Ngakoue returned home to prepare to move to the Chicago area — he should practice Tuesday — fellow defensive end Dominique Robinson changed his number to 90.
On Friday, Ngakoue sounded ready to make Robinson an offer for No. 91.
“Whatever it takes for me to get the jersey,” he said. “I mean, honestly, I love that number. Everywhere I’ve been I’ve thrived with that number. So hopefully I get it here.”
New tight end Marcedes Lewis will wear No. 84. He wore No. 89 all 17 seasons in the NFL — 12 with the Jaguars, five with the Packers — but that wouldn’t work in Chicago. The Bears retired tight end Mike Ditka’s No. 89 in 2013. The team said then he’d be the last player to have his number retired, as the Bears were running out of numbers to distribute to current players.
This and that
• Rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, a second-round pick, took a turn returning punts. He did so 12 times in college — 10 times for Miami and twice for Georgia.
“He can track a ball,” head coach Matt Eberflus said. “He’s got good ball skills, and that’s important.”
The Bears have challenged receiver Velus Jones to protect the ball on punt and kick returns. Receiver Dante Pettis, who returned punts last year after Jones struggled, remains on the non-football injury list.
• Lucas Patrick, the Bears’ backup center/guard, was hurt during practice. He’s just the latest interior lineman to fight an injury in a week-and-a-half of camp. Starting right guard Nate Davis has yet to practice in pads. Left guard Teven Jenkins missed two practices last week, while center Cody Whitehair had been limited in certain drills.
