4 things to watch for in Chicago Bears final preseason game
By Todd Welter
Justin Fields and the starters will play in the Chicago Bears final preseason game at Soldier Field on Saturday against the Buffalo Bills.
Head coach Matt Eberflus is taking a gamble by having Fields play behind an offensive line that is banged up.
Left guard Teven Jenkins is expected to miss the first couple weeks of the season with a leg injury. Right guard Nate Davis has barely practiced, and rookie right tackle Darnell Wright suffered an ankle injury this week. Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick are also nursing injuries.
The offensive line is not the only group ravaged by injuries. It feels like the entire team has spent time in the training room.
Cole Kmet was back today. The following didn’t practice:
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) August 24, 2023
Eddie Jackson
Jaquan Brisker
Chase Claypool
Velus Jones Jr.
Trestan Ebner
Jaylon Jones
Josh Blackwell
DeMarquis Gates
Dylan Cole
Darnell Wright
Lucas Patrick
Nate Davis
Teven Jenkins
Joe Reed
Dante Pettis
DeMarcus Walker
Still, it cannot hurt to get Fields and the starters a few more preseason reps before the regular season starts.
Wait! It could hurt if Fields or more starters suffer a significant injury.
Getting out of this game relatively healthy is the first thing to watch for on Saturday.
Hopefully, the play calling is focused on quick passes and running the football to keep Fields safe.
It would be great to see him rip the ball down the field. If the team is running a patchwork offensive line, then keeping the game plan as simple as possible would be the best course of action.
Tyson Bagent is having a great preseason (we will get to him later), but if Fields goes down, Bagent is not saving the season.
A short passing attack is a good way to get Fields to work on the second part of the game that deserves your attention.