Chicago Bears: Five matchups to watch against the Tennessee Titans
By Usayd Koshul
4. S DeAndre Houston-Carson vs. TE Anthony Firkser
The Bears enter the 2019 season with two players at the safety position that are lock to make the 53-man roster: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Deon Bush. Beyond those two, the competition is wide open. While veteran Sherrick McManis is one name to watch at the safety position, McManis is more of a special teams contributor.
This is where DeAndre Houston-Carson comes into the equation. A fourth-year pro, Houston-Carson has played in just 32 games since entering the league in 2016 for the Bears. He’s also started each of the last two preseason games, proving that the Bears believe in him.
This week, he’ll be tasked with stopping tight end Anthony Firkser, a second-year pro who’s averaging two receptions per game. While that doesn’t seem like an astronomical number, in two of three games this preseason, Firkser has averaged more than 14 yards per catch.
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The Bears will need guys to backup both Clinton-Dix and Eddie Jackson. As of right now, Houston-Carson is one player that can be looked at as a guy to make the roster but also a guy who can draw some consideration to be cut. As a starter on Thursday night, he’s got one final chance to prove that he can make the Bears roster and slowing down a mismatch guy like Firkser is the ideal matchup.