Every play counts when it comes down to trying to make a tight 53-man roster. One Chicago Bears player is feeling the heat after one mess up created a disastrous play.
The Bears are coming off a 24-24 tie in their first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. CBS Sports writer Garrett Podell highlighted one bad moment for the Bears, which involved one of their wide receivers trying to make the roster.
"Wide receiver Samori Toure's pursuit of the football, or lack thereof, resulting in the sole Bears' turnover of the day. He put both of his hands up, but he needed to reach for the football instead of waiting for it to reach his hands. That lack of aggression at the catch point allowed Tyson Bagent's throw to be popped up in the air and eventually intercepted by Dolphins safety Patrick McMorris. It was one of the few negatives about an otherwise solid preseason day at the office in new coach Ben Johnson's Bears debut."
Is Toure as good as gone from the Bears' roster after that play?
It's tough to tell, as Toure had a nice 26-yard reception in the game against the Dolphins, but that was really it for him in the game. That would be his only reception, and the interception will be tied to him.
Even without that play, Toure has a tough road ahead to make the roster. The locks including DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Devin Duvernay. If the Bears want to carry one more receiver, that would be the only shot for Toure to make the roster.
Other roster bubble players played just as well, if not better than Toure, in the game. Jahdae Walker and Maurice Alexander each had highlight touchdown catches, with Walker ending the Dolphins match as the Bears' leading receiver with 41 yards.
Read more: Bears take an interesting approach to Week 2 preseason matchup against Bills
It's been fascinating to see how the Bears approach the wide receiver room at the end of training camp with how deep they are, but Toure needs a bounce-back game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 to get back into the good graces of the coaching staff.