2024-07-31 02:14:40
Bears coach Matt Eberfus said Tuesday that Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will not make his NFL preseason debut in Thursday night’s Hall of Fame Game against the Houston Texans.
The No. 1 pick in the NFL draft out of USC and all Bears starters will miss the first game.
Eberflus said considering the team has three more games, plus a practice game against Cincinnati at Halas Hall on Aug. 15 and a preseason game against the Bengals two days later, It was deemed unnecessary for the starting players to participate in additional preseason games.
“We feel really good about where (the players) are right now as far as the padded practices that we’ve had,” Eberflus said. “We’ve played three games so far and we’ll play another one tomorrow. We’ve had a lot of good performances, one-on-one, two-on-two, a lot of good situations.
“We had a lead there because we were in the Hall of Fame game and I think we’re very fortunate this year to be able to add those reps and as we say to our football team, time to get the job done.”
Tyson Bargent will start at quarterback on Thursday. He and Brett Rypien were involved in a battle for the backup spot.
Eberfus has not yet committed to Williams’ preseason debut on Aug. 10 against Buffalo.
“Like I said, week in and week out, I would not make a statement like that right now,” Eberfluth said.
However, he did say Williams needs to work out and will get some preseason playing time. He has said he expects Williams to play 45 to 60 games during the preseason, but without other starters to play against the bench from Houston, he’s unlikely to gain much from the start .
“He needs as many representatives as possible,” Eberfluth said. “Of course, you have to stay safe…you have to be smart about it.”
Eberflus called it an opportunity for coaches to gain additional insight into players vying for roster spots.
“This is a really great opportunity for our players, our role players, our edge players,” Eberflus said. “These are guys that will be watched not only by us, but by the entire league.”
Williams said Monday he wants to play in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s home stadium. Three former Bears players will be inducted in a ceremony over the weekend: Devin Hurst, Steve McMichael and Julius Peppers.
“I’d love to go out and play,” Williams said. “It’s great to come to Canton, but it’s the coach’s decision.”
Associated Press reports.
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