Bears general manager Ryan Pace said he's happy with how the team has handled first-round pick Roquan Smith's preparation for the season opener against the Packers.
Smith didn't play a preseason snap after a 29-day contract holdout kept him out the first three games and a tight hamstring prevented him from playing in the final two games.
Pace said he believes they have been "really smart" about not pushing Smith before he was completely ready and said he doesn't have any concerns about how the events of the summer will affect Smith's rookie season.
"He's a really good football player with a high football IQ that can get acclimated really quickly," Pace said. "I think we did the right thing, instead of rushing him in and having some long-term setback. I'm glad we handled it that way and I don't have any concerns about him adjusting to the defense."
After the weekend off, the Bears return to practice Monday to ramp up their preparations for Sunday's opener at Lambeau Field. Smith has been limited in practice the last two weeks, but a change in his practice status could bode well for his readiness to make his NFL debut.
The status of defensive end Akiem Hicks and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd will also be worth watching as Week 1 opens. Hicks missed the last two preseason games with a sore knee. Floyd has been out with a broken hand, but coach Matt Nagy said last week he expected him to return to practice with a club on his hand.
