Bears cap preseason with 24-15 win over Titans
· Yahoo Sports
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rookie wide receiver Zavion Thomas caught a 97-yard touchdown pass from Tyson Bagent on his first NFL play Saturday during the Chicago Bears’ 24-15 win against the Tennessee Titans in the preseason finale.
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Playing in his first preseason game after missing the first two with a knee injury, Thomas saw plenty of action on offense — five catches for 140 yards — and special teams, highlighted by a 39-yard punt return that he nearly broke for another score.
“I don’t know that I’ve thrown a touchdown of that many yards, and I think that was Zavion Thomas’ very first play in the NFL — so greatest start in NFL history,” Bagent said.
Added coach Ben Johnson: “It was good to see a guy like Zavion get some time and and have some production from it, both in the receiving game, but also as a punt returner.”
Johnson said after the game that running back Brittain Brown was placed in concussion protocol, and defensive back Jaylon Jones and receiver Ray-Ray McCloud suffered hamstring injuries.
Most of the Bears starters, including quarterback Caleb Williams, watched from the sideline.
Williams got his final reps of training camp Thursday during a joint practice with the Titans, making some highlight-worthy throws but also finding himself under pressure at times from Tennessee’s impressive defensive front. He finished his one preseason appearance completing 2 of 5 passes for 28 yards.
About three hours before kickoff at Nissan Stadium, Williams tossed the ball around with Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland, D’Andre Swift and others. That was the extent of their participation Saturday.
Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent took the reins for the entire first half and displayed a little of the razzle-dazzle normally associated with Williams.
On fourth-and-goal from the Titans 2-yard line, Bagent stepped up in the pocket, then backpedaled to avoid the rush as he lofted a touchdown pass to Maurice Alexander in the back of the end zone.
With Bagent at the controls, the offense converted 4 of 5 fourth downs. He finished 16 for 17 for 208 yards and two touchdowns.
On his first score, the Bears were set up at their 3-yard line. Bagent took a snap from shotgun and quickly looked in Thomas’ direction as Roschon Johnson picked up a blitz.
Titans cornerback Keydrain Calligan stumbled on the route and was firmly in Thomas’ rearview when he hauled in Bagent’s pass. Safety Jerrick Reed II gave chase but could only swipe futilely at Thomas’ leg on his way to the end zone.
“Felt amazing,” Thomas said. “Just the preparation put into it, it’s something that I expected.”
Thomas played into the third quarter and averaged 28 yards per reception. His speed also was on display in the return game. He had punt and kickoff returns of 39 and 22 yards, respectively.
“We’re really excited for the kid,” general manager Ryan Poles said of the third-round pick during an interview on WMVP-AM 1000. “He’s done a great job in the spring. He had a little bit of an injury that he was working through that took him out for a little bit.
“But to see him get back playing fast and making an impact for our football team, that’s why we drafted him and brought him here and he’s doing exactly that.”
If there was one hiccup for Thomas on the night, it came in the first quarter. On second-and-8 at the Titans 38, he tried to take a handoff from Bagent on a fly sweep, but the exchange was fumbled, and Titans defensive end Jacob Martin recovered it.
Bagent tried to take the blame, but Thomas would hear none of it.
“On me,” Thomas said. “Wasn’t no timing, none of that. I’ve just got to get the ball.”
NFL teams are required to trim their rosters to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET Sunday. The Bears open the regular season Sept. 13 against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C.
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