Projecting the Chicago Bears 53-man roster before the final preseason game
By Todd Welter
5 roster spots: Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer, Khari Blasingame (fullback)
Khalil Herbert did not play in the second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts. D’Onta Foreman got a few carries.
The game was pretty boring, but Roschon Johnson had a couple of gains that were nice to see. Trestan Ebner missed the game with an injury that hurt his chances to make a case for a roster spot. It probably means Travis Homer wins that final running back spot unless Ebner can make it back for the Buffalo game and show out.
For a brief moment, Robert Burns looked like he could push Khari Blasingame for the fullback spot. Then Burns had a costly fumble.
6 roster spots: D.J. Moore, Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney, Tyler Scott, Equanimeous St. Brown, Velus Jones Jr.
Practice squad: Daurice Fountain
The final wide receiver spot is probably down to a final training camp week battle with Daurice Fountain, Dante Pettis, Nsimba Webster, Isaiah Ford, and Velus Jones Jr.
Jones Jr. gets the nod because of his kick-returning ability and that he came back from an awful first preseason game with a great week of practice.
A lot of fans want last year’s third-round pick off the team because he keeps fumbling on punt returns.
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Jones Jr. has shown he can bounce back from adversity and that is something the Chicago Bears front office values. Velus did not play on Saturday after he left practice on Thursday with an undisclosed injury.
Plus, special teams coordinator Richard Hightower seems to be high on what Velus can do in the return game.
Dante Pettis returned to practice after an early undisclosed injury. He is a safe player to field punts, but he will not make an explosive return. We saw last season that is not going to make much of an impact as a receiver.
Nsimba Webster continues to be the Chicago Bears Mr. August at the wide receiver position. He is a practice squad player who can help on special teams.
Daurice Fountain had a great touchdown catch against the Colts. He set it up by running a great route.
Honestly, it would be better if the Chicago Bears kept Fountain or Pettis over Equanimeous St. Brown who keeps dropping the ball.
St. Brown makes the roster because of his blocking ability. With Jenkins’ injury, the Bears need someone who can block to help out left tackle Braxton Jones or rookie right tackle Darnell Wright. St. Brown’s blocking is good enough to provide that assistance.