The Bears held a dozen starters out of their preseason opener against the Panthers on Thursday, a continuation of coach Matt Nagy’s risk-averse approach.
Nagy believes the first-team players are getting the necessary preparation in practice rather than in exhibition games when both sides are trying to show as little of their playbook as possible.
Nagy sat six healthy offensive players, including Allen Robinson, Tarik Cohen and Kyle Long. He also did not dress veteran receiver and returner Cordarrelle Patterson, receiver Taylor Gabriel and tight end Adam Shaheen.
Defensively, Nagy saw no need to play Pro Bowlers Khalil Mack, Kyle Fuller, AKiem Hicks and Eddie Jackson. Cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Buster Skrine and linebackers Danny Trevathan and Leonard Floyd did not dress, either.
Tight end Trey Burton, who didn’t practice during the week as he works back from a sports hernia, was an obvious scratch due to injury. Cornerback Kevin Tolliver was out because of an unspecified illness.
It was more interesting seeing who Nagy actually did choose to play.
Quarterback Mitch Trubisky was in for one series with the usual starting offensive line, minus Long. Trubisky played with veteran Mike Davis in the backfield and exited after handing the ball off to him three times.
New cornerback Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was the only starter from the secondary to play, and the Bears started second-year linebacker Roquan Smith.
Ron Rivera and the Panthers also left most of the game to their reserves after announcing two days earlier that quarterback Cam Newton and linebacker Luke Kuechly wouldn’t play.
