Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith is back at practice following the end of his contract “hold-in” last Saturday.
Following a ramp-up period where Smith participated in only individual drills, Smith returned to team drills on Tuesday, where he had an immediate impact.
According to media members in attendance at Tuesday’s practice, Smith had a huge play on the first snap with a tackle-for-loss on running back David Montgomery.
Per Sean Hammond, “Smith looked impressive in the run game all afternoon.”
#Bears practice just wrapping up…
Roquan Smith returned to team drills Tuesday and made his presence known from the very first snap, getting the RB for a TFL. Smith looked impressive in the run game all afternoon.
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) August 23, 2022
Roquan Smith participated in team drills today for the #Bears. On the first snap he had a TFL on a RB. It was an impressive play that caught everyone’s attention.
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 23, 2022
Head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters that Smith will be among the starters playing the first half in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns.
After missing the first two preseason games and most of training camp, this will be the first live-action for Smith at weak-side linebacker this summer.
Earlier this month, Smith requested a trade after contract negotiations reached an impasse. He ended his “hold-in” last Saturday, where he practiced for the first time this summer. Now, Smith is focused on playing out the final year of his rookie deal and seeing what happens.
