The Chicago Bears continued preparation for Sunday night’s road game against the Houston Texans with an afternoon practice at Halas Hall.
Here’s what we learned Thursday in Lake Forest.
1. Wide receivers Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen remained out.
Odunze is recovering from a sprained medial collateral ligament he suffered late in Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans. Allen, meanwhile, remains hindered by a heel issue that has lingered since the end of training camp.
Neither player practiced Thursday, leaving Bears coaches in troubleshooting mode as they develop their plans for Sunday.
Second-year receiver Tyler Scott figures to be active in Houston and pushed into a heightened role in the offense. Scott acknowledged he was frustrated by his inactive status in Week 1.
“It’s not something you ever want,” he said. “If you’re a competitor, you want to be out there. You want to ball. That’s why I’m here. You don’t enjoy being on the sideline, just sitting there watching.”
But Scott also understands the opportunity knocking for him this week.
“That’s what this league is,” he said. “When you get your opportunity, you have to recognize it and take advantage of it.”
In other injury news, offensive lineman Ryan Bates (shoulder/elbow) and fullback Khari Blasingame (hand/knee) did not practice. Tight end Marcedes Lewis was given a vet’s day off.
Offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie (quadriceps) remained limited, and defensive end DeMarcus Walker (foot) returned to the field as a limited participant after not practicing Wednesday.
2. Velus Jones may have lost his kickoff-return role.
Week 1 photos: Chicago Bears 24, Tennessee Titans 17 at Soldier Field
Jones muffed the catch on a first-quarter kickoff against the Titans, then clumsily kicked the football forward, where Tennessee’s Julius Chestnut recovered for a head-scratching turnover.
That was the latest high-profile blunder from Jones, who lost two fumbles on punt returns as a rookie in 2022 and has had several memorable drops on deep balls.
After transitioning from wide receiver to running back during training camp, Jones fought his way onto the 53-man roster. But it wouldn’t be a shock if his role is reduced — or if he’s inactive — Sunday in Houston.
Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower pulled no punches in addressing Jones’ fumble.
“It’s unacceptable,” Hightower said. “We all know that. We value the ball, and on that particular play we didn’t and it hurt the football team.
“As a human, I hurt for the kid. I really do. But as a coach, we have to evaluate all of our options. And (Jones) knows in the return game, the No. 1 thing is to take care of the football.”
3. The Bears defense is preparing to face a potentially explosive Texans offense.
Houston has no shortage of playmakers, starting with quarterback C.J. Stroud and a receiving corps that features Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell. That trio combined for 234 catches, 3,189 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, though Diggs was playing for the Buffalo Bills.
Running back Joe Mixon was the engine of the Texans’ 29-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. Mixon turned 30 carries into 159 yards in his Houston debut, the third-highest rushing total of his 98-game career.
Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington is impressed with Mixon’s quickness and ball security and also appreciates the ways Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik Jr. diversifies the rushing attack.
“Their run inventory creates some issues for you,” Washington said. “They can go from a gap scheme concept with pullers to an outside zone (run) looking to cut the football back. They have a nice blend, a nice mix of run concepts that you have to do a really good job of addressing and fitting.”
