The Chicago Bears are continuing their strategy of resting their starters during the preseason, as virtually every player expected to begin the season in the starting 11 will be out for Friday’s game against the New York Giants.
On offense, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky will not play in the team’s second preseason game after taking three snaps during the home opener last week.
He will be joined on the sideline by running backs Tarik Cohen and David Montgomery, as well as wide receivers Taylor Gabriel, Anthony Miller, Allen Robinson, and Cordarrelle Patterson.
Tight ends Adam Shaheen and Trey Burton also won’t be playing the game, and the Bears’ entire starting offensive line will be out for the game. Bobby Massie, Charles Leno, Cody Whitehair, James Daniels, and Kyle Long all will be out for the contest.
On defense, linebacker Khalil Mack will once again sit out, as will Roquan Smith, who played last week, and Danny Trevathan. Leonard Floyd will also sit out the exhibition contest.
On the defensive line, Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, and Bilal Nichols will all sit out the game. The secondary is similarly structured, as starters Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara, Buster Skrine, Eddie Jackson, and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will all be out of the mix.
Nagy’s strategy was likely influenced by the team playing an exhaustive scrimmage at Halas Hall on Wednesday, complete with in-game sound effects (including the “Bear Raid” siren). The starters on both sides of the ball played virtually an entire game, and it’s entirely possible the team will stick with that strategy for the remainder of the preseason.
