The Chicago Bears' second preseason game should be a great chance for the team to see who can step up and make their case to win roster battles or starting position battles on the depth chart. Who are the names on the defense that will have the most to gain?
5 Chicago Bears Defenders With Plenty to Gain in Preseason Week 2
Kentavius Street
Street was a cheap free-agent signing who looked like someone who would have to fight to stick on the roster. However, in the first preseason game, he was given the starter treatment next to Gervon Dexter with Grady Jarrett out.
The team started him and pulled him with the starters. Right now, he is clearly ahead of Neville Gallimore, who signed for more than him in free agency, and Jordan van den Berg, who was drafted this year. Does that trend continue, and does that signal he will have a role in Week 1?
James Lynch
Lynch was another fringe roster signing who appears to be involved in the Bears' plans. He played 46 snaps in the first preseason game. However, what was notable was his usage. He had 29 snaps as an end and 17 snaps as an interior rusher. Lynch will assume the Shemar Turner role that he was expected to slot into. Will he continue to get this much work, and will the versatility continue?
Malik Muhammad
Muhammad is another versatile name. He played 33 snaps in the preseason opener with 21 in the slot and 12 snaps on the outside. He looked comfortable in both areas. The rookie fourth-round pick is still adjusting to the NFL. However, with injuries to Tyrique Stevenson and all kinds of questions in the slot, starting spots are open for him.
Ruben Hyppolite
The Bears' 2025 fourth-round pick looked like a cut candidate after his first NFL season. However, injuries to Keyshaun Elliott and Noah Sewell have opened a path for him to make the roster. Hyppolite played 46 snaps in the preseason opener and played the best NFL game of his career. He is one more good performance away from being a lock.
Skyler Thomas
Thomas is a rookie UDFA from Oregon State. While UDFAs are usually long shots for the roster, the numbers tend to be in favor of Thomas. The safety depth chart is not deep, with Coby Bryant injured and Cam Lewis shifting into the slot. Can Thomas make a run at a roster spot?
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