The Chicago Bears are returning to the practice field at Halas Hall on Thursday for another open training camp practice.
With media and fans in attendance, there’s plenty to keep an eye on during Thursday practice. With linebacker Roquan Smith off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, he’s able to participate in practice. If he doesn’t (which is expected), the Bears could start fining him. Also, the offense is coming off an encouraging outing on Wednesday, where the passing game found success despite being down four of their top six wideouts.
Here are some instant observations from those in attendance at the Bears’ 13th practice of training camp:
Practice has concluded.
Back to work for the Bears at Camp Halas. pic.twitter.com/87b8sbAdip
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) August 11, 2022
People having fun at #BearsCamp — whodathunkit? pic.twitter.com/aLa6hv3dLd
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) August 11, 2022
Today’s #Bears offensive line starters in front of Justin Fields:
Braxton Jones
Cody Whitehair
Sam Mustipher
Michael Schofield
Riley ReiffSolid group out there. Hoping Lucas Patrick can get healthy soon. #BearsCamp
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
We’ve got a new #Bears WR featured on the jugs machine: Darnell Mooney took about 15 reps before joining the team to stretch out.
Things are about to get underway here shortly. pic.twitter.com/97CLRSdEhA
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
Back to camp and God I hope the heat stays away. It feels great today. pic.twitter.com/i2K6v7217N
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
As expected no pads for today's practice.
Also, it looks like the spin class has started. pic.twitter.com/x3yYdaK2Mr
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 11, 2022
Also – no Roquan Smith out here today at #BearsCamp as expected.
He was removed from the PUP list yesterday and now is subject to a $40,000 fine for missing practice/not participating.#Bears
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
#Bears practice is starting. I do not see Roquan Smith out here.
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 11, 2022
Add Byron Pringle, Kindle Vildor and Greg Stroman to the list of #Bears not practicing today. All the guys are off to the side doing some exercises. https://t.co/GlcKSVscFM
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 11, 2022
Dante Pettis is back practicing today.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 11, 2022
Justin Fields is accurate, I repeat. #BearsCamp #Bears pic.twitter.com/ht529DMsgy
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
I'm sure others have pointed it out but no pads for the Bears today. Should be a lighter practice just two days before their preseason opener.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
Bears healthy tight ends the last two practices. Chase Allen. Rysen John. Jake Tonges. Big opportunity for them. #BearsCamp pic.twitter.com/dgkgC925BC
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) August 11, 2022
TE Cole Kmet is sitting out practice once again. I don’t see RB David Montgomery anywhere.
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) August 11, 2022
Trevis Gipson is looking very light on his feet out here during some change of direction drills.
He’ll have the opportunity to start for the #Bears this season, and you best believe he’s putting up career-high numbers.#BearsCamp
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
Going team early on in practice. Offense starts at the opponent 20.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 11, 2022
Fields gets a ball batted down at the LOS and Brisker immediately picks it up to return it like a fumble. Normally that's nothing but we need that type of mentality again.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
#Bears QB Justin Fields finds FB Khari Blasingame along the sideline for a nice completion.
Chicago’s first-team offense fails to reach the endzone, but a good play here nonetheless.#BearsCamp pic.twitter.com/zQzL8Ygqph
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
Hi Justin 👋 #BearsCamp pic.twitter.com/5keX8g2zuE
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) August 11, 2022
Justin Fields ➡️ Trestan Ebner.
Touchdown, #Bears! pic.twitter.com/rimTKy3UwX
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
Tristan Ebner showing versatility split out catches a 15 yard comeback. I really like this kid. #BearsCamp
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) August 11, 2022
Again, no pads today but Braxton Jones has won every snap he's played so far, primarily against Dominique Robinson.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
Fields with a TD to Chase Allen in redzone drills
Progressed through a couple reads then found Allen open in the back of the endzone
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) August 11, 2022
Fields back to back touchdowns from the 5 yd line. 1st to Chase Allen 2nd to Jake Tonges. Good start. #BearsCamp
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) August 11, 2022
Fields escaped the pocket and fired a strike to Jake Tonges right before he went out of bounds for the red zone TD. Put some zip on the ball too.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
Fields looking sharp in redzone so far. Touchdown by FB Jake Tonges #Bears pic.twitter.com/LqnCezhpev
— Parth Shah (@ParthShahBD) August 11, 2022
Nice start for RZ drills for the first team offense. 3 TDs as Justin Fields found Ebner, Allen and Tonges in end zone. #Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 11, 2022
Darrynton Evans showing some burst on a toss scoring a TD w the first team. #BearsCamp
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) August 11, 2022
🚨 FULLBACK ALERT 🚨
Fields finds Blasingame on the sidelines. He's definitely faster than you think.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
Justin Fields hits Darnell Mooney in stride, who was wide open over the middle.
That’ll be another score for the #Bears first-team offense.#BearsCamp
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
False start before this play but Fields and Mooney respond with this: https://t.co/73rPCZEDB6
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) August 11, 2022
First team offense has already had two false starts in team drills. Bears have settled in with this first team OL unit of Jones-Whitehair-Mustipher-Schofield-Reiff.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 11, 2022
Man, Khalil Herbert is looking real speedy today. #Bears #BearsCamp
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
Robinson beat Jones off the edge but Fields stood in to fire a strike to Khalil Herbert.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
Fields doing a nice job of getting the ball out quick here.
A couple dump offs to players open for short yardage
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) August 11, 2022
Justin Fields finds Tajae Sharp in the back corner of the endzone for another score.
Fields is looking incredibly decisive and is getting the ball out quick. Evading pressure when the pocket collapses as well.#BearsCamp
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
Play of the day so far. Fields rolls left and floats a pass to Tajae Sharpe in the left corner of the endzone, making a tip toe catch.
Fields looks really sharp today.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
Fields rolls out and hits Tajae Sharpe for a TD in the corner of the end zone to end this red zone drive for the first team O.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 11, 2022
It’s early. But the first team offense looks much better so far today. #Bears
— Bear Report (@BearReport) August 11, 2022
Beautiful touchdown catch from WR Tajae Sharpe. In a red zone situation, Justin Fields threw the ball where only Sharpe could catch it. In the corner of the end zone, Sharpe just barely had room to keep his toes inbounds.
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) August 11, 2022
Justin Fields connects with Tajae Sharpe for a touchdown. Fields floated the ball over the defender.
On the drive, there was a false start and a delay of game, but the OFF still ended the drive with points. Fields also found Khalil Herbert on third down and converted the chains.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 11, 2022
The #Bears just used WR Dazz Newsome out of the backfield with the second team. Newsome put on the burners and picked up a nice gain.
Would love to see Chicago do this during the season. Deploy all the speed across the field and throw off defenses. #BearsCamp
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
Trestan Ebner getting some work in between the tackles at the goal line. He's gonna be more than just a pass-catching specialist.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
Isaiah Coulter with a great route beating dbl coverage to make a 15 yd gain on a deep comeback. Nice ball from Trevor Siemian. #BearsCamp
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) August 11, 2022
So far a crisp day for the Bears’ offense. Fields hit Chase Allen and Jake Tonges for touchdowns then rolled left and floated a pass to Tajae Sharpe for a TD in the back of the end zone. Also zipped a side arm pass to Mooney over the middle for chunk gain on a slant.
— Josh Schrock (@Schrock_And_Awe) August 11, 2022
Plot twist: Roquan Smith just walked out of the training room with David Montgomery and Angelo Blackson. So he *is* here at practice, just not practicing.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 11, 2022
Justin Fields did have one pass tipped, but he has completed every other one. https://t.co/bpuzrNfUAr
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 11, 2022
After being away from the practice field at the start of work today, Roquan Smith has joined the Bears’ injured players on the far sideline. He is wearing a jersey but no helmet.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) August 11, 2022
Going back to last year, I've seen two non-padded practices and they definitely favor the offense. But Fields still looks accurate with his throws, making them on time all over the field.
I'm really happy with what I've seen up to this point.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
The #Bears first-team offense is clicking today as a unit.
Receivers are getting open and improvising if not, and Justin Fields has been putting the bread in the basket thusfar.
We’ll see some more scrimmage action later. Back to individual drills now.
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
It’s also worth noting that the #Bears first-team offensive line held up well in those redzone drills.
Solid blocking against Jones, Quinn, Muhammad, and Tonga.
Pretty sure the pocket only collapsed once, and Fields used his legs to extend the play.#BearsCamp
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
Heeeeeere’s Roquan #BearsCamp pic.twitter.com/cJ5lteTiR6
— Funky Cold Luda (@lcm1986) August 11, 2022
FIELDS IS LOCKED IN
HOLY CRAP
— alise (@ajdavis22800) August 11, 2022
Fields stands in the pocket and hits Tajae Sharpe for a redzone TD, who appeared to double clutch the ball.
Fields still looks Sharpe.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
Justin Fields throws a fastball at Tajae Sharpe. He caught the ball but Sharpe definitely wasn't ready for that 🔥
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 11, 2022
#Bears CB Jaylon Johnson gets a really nice jumping PBU on a throw from Justin Fields.
Johnson, by the way, is putting the league on notice this season.#BearsCamp
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
Khyris Tonga breaks through for the would-be sack. He would have walloped Fields.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
The defense responds with two back to back good plays. Jaylon Jones tipped a pass intended for Darnell Mooney. Then Khyiris Tonga sacks Justin Fields on third down.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 11, 2022
DHC picks off Nathan Peterman. #BearsCamp pic.twitter.com/hDCl8JTOHj
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
DeAndre Houston-Carson get an interception on Nathan Peterman. It would've been a pick-6.
Also on the play, Larry Borom was the right tackle with the third team. Borom is still out there right now with the 3s.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 11, 2022
Jaylon Johnson broke up a Justin Fields pass intended for Darnell Mooney in the endzone.
But he didn’t intercept the ball, so after a brief conversation with Eddie Jackson, Johnson did some push-ups on the field as penance.
— Alex Shapiro (@AlexShapiroNBCS) August 11, 2022
Jaylon Johnson with good coverage on Mooney. 👀 Almost came away with a pick. Fields was a bit late on the throw. #BearsCamp pic.twitter.com/tFHTchYehV
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) August 11, 2022
Sharpe has been a favored target today for Fields. At least 4-5 catches for him.
Another short pass to Sharpe right now which goes for a nice gain
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) August 11, 2022
I said it yesterday and I’ll say it again today – #Bears QB Justin Fields is doing a much better job getting rid of the ball when the pressure arrives.
DL Justin Jones came at Fields downhill on the last rep and Justin got rid of the ball immediately. Small fixes.#BearsCamp
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
Defensive backs are doing their job, leading to a coverage sack on Fields.
Including his throwaway, I think he's only had 3 incompletions all day. Could be wrong though.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
Teven Jenkins is currently with the second unit at RT.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 11, 2022
lol at duke shelley and em doing the bobby shmurda dance. they’re keeping it loose. #BearsCamp
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) August 11, 2022
#Bears rookie punter Trenton Gill getting in on the action with a boot that lands inside the 5-yard line that gets downed.
I think Chicago may have found their new megapunt after watching Gill for a few days.#BearsCamp
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
Defense starting to turn it up a bit here. Back to back pass breakups by Jaylon Johnson and Jaylon Jones. #Bears
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) August 11, 2022
DB’s responding with a couple nice plays on the ball this series, forcing some incompletions or Fields
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) August 11, 2022
The starting offense goes 3-and-out from the 50-yard line. Jaylon Johnson had another pass breakup. He had perfect coverage on the slant by Tajae Sharpe. Then there was an INC pass to the right. On third down, Fields was forced to run and Justin Jones would've had the tackle.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 11, 2022
Teven Jenkins getting work with both second and third team at RT. #Bears
— Bear Report (@BearReport) August 11, 2022
Dante Pettis had a strong pass from Peterman bounce off his hands for an incompletion. In case you wanted to know any Pettis updates.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
Cairo Santos. Automatic from deep.
He’s 4/4 today in scrimmages. Rookie punter Gill is doing a great job with holds as well.#BearsCamp #Bears
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) August 11, 2022
1st team defense has responded after the offense had the advantage in the early red zone drill. Not much there in the run game and they are all over these receivers #Bears
— Andrew Freeman (@AjFreeman25) August 11, 2022
With the receiving corps injury issues, a big window of opportunity is available Saturday for Tajae Sharpe.
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) August 11, 2022
The #Bears are mixing in their tackles throughout the practice. Larry Borom has played with the starting unit in place of Riley Reiff.
Teven Jenkins also played as RT with the third team. https://t.co/9YvIEvQSZc pic.twitter.com/BHDL8SCLqj
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) August 11, 2022
Justin been running too much in the 2nd half of practice IMO, needs more help from the line
— 79th & Halas Podcast (@79thAndHalas) August 11, 2022
Tough day for the Bears Offense today after a shining yesterday. Low energy day. The team seems to be saving up for the Chiefs on Sat. #BearsCamp
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) August 11, 2022
Looks like that's it for practice. Fields and the offense started really strong and things were clicking. As practice wore on, the defense caught up at all levels, getting more pressure and breaking up passes.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) August 11, 2022
And that’s the end of that chapter. #BearsCamp ✌️ pic.twitter.com/HNoN2KPmY6
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) August 11, 2022
That's it for Bears practice. The play of the day was a Justin Fields touchdown throw to Tajae Sharpe. Fields was rolling to his left and Sharpe toe-tapped to stay in-bounds in the back corner of the end zone.
Next up, the Chiefs on Saturday.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 11, 2022
Bears wrapped their last practice of before their first preseason game.
It was the best day for the offense in quite some time. Maybe their first overall "tie" with the defense.
— Alex Shapiro (@AlexShapiroNBCS) August 11, 2022
Really liked what I saw from the #Bears offense today. Much better day from there.
— Bear Report (@BearReport) August 11, 2022
