The Chicago Bears held a 90-minute practice at Halas Hall on Wednesday to kick off training camp. Here is everything you need to know, including who started in Kyler Gordon's spot as the nickel cornerback.
The Chicago Bears wrapped up their first training camp practice of the summer at Halas Hall.
Although much of the 90-minute practice was spent on individual work and special teams, the Bears still gained valuable reps.
Here is everything you need to know.
Nickel Who?
A big topic throughout training camp will be monitoring the players who fill in for Kyler Gordon, who was placed on the physically unable to perform list on Monday. There's currently no timetable for his return, which will force several players to take his snaps with the first-team defense.
Veteran defensive back Jaylon Jones got the first look during 11 on 11s. Versatile defensive back Cam Lewis also played some snaps with the starting defense during the 7-on-7 period.
Josh Blackwell primarily played the nickel spot with the backups.
“We're going to go through a lot of different players," Allen said on who will get the first look at the nickel spot. "Kyler, obviously is going to start on PUP, so, we're going to look at a lot of different players to play the nickel position. So you'll see that change throughout the course of camp.”
Punt Returners
Devin Duvernay was the Bears' primary punt returner last season. He is now on the Arizona Cardinals, meaning there is a spot that can be won.
On the Bears' first day of practice, Kalif Raymond, Luther Burden III and rookie Zavion Thomas were the only players fielding punts from the jugs machine and punter Tory Taylor.
One of the few highlights of the day occurred during the special teams period. Burden caught the punt from the machine and then fielded Taylor's punt while still holding onto the first football.
Taylor gave Raymond a good look after he put a unique spin on the football. The veteran receiver couldn't get to the ball, which landed inside the 10-yard line. Raymond gave a thumbs up in Taylor's direction.
Additional Takeaways
- For those wondering about Caleb Williams and the starting offense, there wasn't much to glean from Tuesday's practice. There were times when the defense forced the first-team offense to hold the ball and dirt it, which Williams mentioned in his press conference after practice. Williams did complete four of his five passes in 7-on-7s, connecting with Burden three times, Raymond for a short gain and then missing Raymond after Williams rolled to his left, trying to hit the veteran receiver for a big gain.
- Braxton Jones started at left tackle with the first-team offense. Kiran Amegadjie filled in with the backups. Jedrick Wills saw snaps with the third-team.
- Dillon Thieneman started at safety alongside Coby Bryant with the starting defense.
- Rome Odunze didn't catch any passes in the shortened team periods, but he was moving well during the individual period. After the team finished stretching, Odunze sprinted over from one field to the other to start some footwork drills.
- Wide receivers coach and assistant head coach Antwaan Randle El always has plenty of energy throughout practice. When the team started transitioning from 11 on 11s to special teams, Randle El coached up Thomas on a route. This on-the-spot coaching goes back to Ben Johnson's emphasis on correcting mistakes when the happen rather than letting something slip through the cracks.
