Bears 53-man roster projection: How injuries, win vs. Bengals impact outlook?

Bears 53-man roster projection: How injuries, win vs. Bengals impact outlook? originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

The Bears’ preseason slate has just one game left after their 27-3 pasting of the Cincinnati Bengals’ second- and third-teams at Soldier Field on Saturday.

Quarterback Caleb Williams had an uneven day but finished with a wave of brilliance that will likely be his final action until the regular season opener against the Tennessee Titans.

After three preseason wins, the Bears’ initial 53-man roster is coming into focus. However, there are still several questions to address at the back end of a roster that has leveled up in talent over the past 365 days.

Here’s our latest 53-man roster projection after the Bears’ third preseason game:

Quarterback (2): Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent

After a so-so performance against the Buffalo Bills, Bagent was on point against the Bengals on Saturday. He could quickly become one of the better backup quarterback options in the NFL.

The Bears like Brett Rypien for his value in the quarterback room, but they should be able to get him through to the practice squad with ease.

Despite what you saw on “Hard Knocks,” there is no evidence that undrafted rookie Austin Reed is in legitimate contention for a roster spot. Would the Bears keep both Rypien and Reed on the practice squad?

Running back (5): D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Khalil Herbert, Khari Blasingame, Travis Homer

Swift has been arguably the Bears’ most impressive player in camp thus far. The signing of Swift remains the most underrated move of the Bears’ transformational offseason.

While this might be Herbert’s last season in Chicago, his vision and burst give the Bears a valuable change-of-pace home-run threat out of the backfield. Herbert was never the same after the ankle injury in Week 5 last season, but he has looked like his old self so far this preseason.

Undrafted rookie Ian Wheeler scored two touchdowns in the Bears’ preseason win in…

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Author : NBC Sports Chicago

Publish date : 2024-08-18 17:50:58

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