With less than two weeks until the regular-season opener against the Packers, the Bears are getting closer to playing their starters.
Matt Nagy will once again hold his starters out for the third straight preseason game — the second for quarterback Mitch Trubisky and running back David Montgomery, among others.
The “dress rehearsal” game will be a battle of the backups, as the Colts will also rest its starters.
While the starters won’t see the field, that doesn’t mean this third preseason game won’t have something to watch.
Here are four storylines to watch as the Bears take on the Colts:
1. How does Eddy Pineiro perform as the last kicker standing?
Eddy Pineiro is the last kicker standing. For now. Bears coach Matt Nagy said that he wanted Pineiro to have the consistency of getting every kick, be it a field goal, extra point or kickoff.
Pineiro might’ve won the kicking competition between him and Elliott Fry, but he hasn’t won the job yet. Pineiro will be the main focus — a new pressure in Nagy’s stable — in these final two games.
While Pineiro had a shaky start against the Panthers in Week 1, he bounced back last week against the Giants making both of his field goal attempts. While Nagy doesn’t expect Pineiro to make every kick he attempts, Pineiro needs to prove he can be consistent.
Pineiro will be competing against the rest of the kickers in the NFL, many of which present as viable options for the Bears once they hit the waiver wire.
2. How does possible Bears kicker target Cole Hedlund perform with Colts?
Speaking of kickers auditioning for the NFL — namely the Bears — Colts’ backup kicker Cole Hedlund has put together a solid preseason resume in the first two games.
The undrafted rookie kicker out of North Texas has connected on 4-of-5 field goals, including from 42, 44, 25 and 41 yards, over his first two preseason games. His only miss came from 51 yards.
The Bears will get an up-close look at one of the kickers that will hit the open market. While Pineiro is the only kicker on the Bears’ roster right now, the Bears promised to always keep all options open.
3. Will the Bears’ reserves inspire confidence?
While the Bears feel confident about their starters — enough to rest them for preseason and preserve their health for the regular season — the backups weren’t impressive last week against the Giants.
Given that health isn’t promised in the NFL, it’s important to have depth on your roster. While there were some good impressions made, including linebacker James Vaughters, receiver Javon Wims, running back Kerrith Whyte and cornerback Clifton Duck, the performance of the reserves was more concerning than comforting last week.
Players that need a bounce-back performance against the Colts include quarterback Chase Daniel, running-back-turned-receiver Taquan Mizzell and linebacker Kylie Fitts.
4. How does rookie WR Riley Ridley perform?
Rookie receiver Riley Ridley was the talk of the Bears offseason, impressing with his route running ability and how quickly he’s been able to pick up this offense.
But Ridley was sidelined during some of training camp and the first preseason game as he dealt with a hamstring injury.
In his NFL debut last week against the Giants, Ridley played 47 percent of the Bears’ offensive plays, catching three passes for 19 yards.
With both the Bears and Colts resting their starters, Ridley will be one of the players to watch on Saturday night.
