Williams’ rapport with rookie tight end Colston Loveland is continuing to grow. The No. 10 pick in this year’s draft has caught 17 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns in his last four games after having 11 receptions for 116 yards and no TDs in his first six contests.
“He’s a safe target,” Williams said of the 6-6, 241-pounder. “He’s a reliable target and his body language when he’s running routes is very similar to a wide receiver. It’s very smooth. It speaks to me very easily and I know when he’s breaking down, when he’s doing what. Then he’s also tall and a large human. That makes it a little bit easier to sometimes just maybe toss it up to him.”
Byard returns to his hometown Friday to face the Eagles for the first time since he played 10 games for Philadelphia in 2023 after a midseason trade with the Titans.
The veteran safety joked that he’s not expecting a tribute video because he spent only part of one season in Philadelphia, but he’s looking forward to the trip.
“It’s awesome, it’s always good,” Byard said. “My family’s going to come to the game. My wife is traveling up to the game with the kids, so that’s really awesome.”
Byard was selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2016 draft and was in his eighth season with Tennessee when he was dealt to the Eagles Oct. 23, 2023.
“A lot of things were going on in my life,” Byard said. “I just had a baby boy two weeks prior. He spent his first five months in the NICU, so there was a lot of stuff going on off the field that was very challenging for me. But … it was [also] a special moment for my family. For my dad, to be able to see that Byard last name on the Eagles jersey, a team he’s rooted for his whole life, was very special.”
Six Bears did not practice Wednesday due to injuries: Guard Luke Newman (foot); defensive end Dominique Robinson (concussion); linebackers Edwards (hand/hamstring), Noah Sewell (elbow) and Ruben Hyppolite II (shoulder); and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson (hip).
Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. (hand) was limited.
Full participants included Benedet, running backs Kyle Monangai (knee) and Travis Homer (hamstring/knee) and cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson (groin) and Kyler Gordon (calf). Johnson and Gordon remain on injured reserve.