4 Chicago Bears players needing extended time in preseason game vs. Colts
- Could an undrafted free agent defensive back make the squad?
- A rookie on offense needs to bounce back
- Defensive end is getting competitive
By Ryan Heckman
With the Chicago Bears getting set for their joint practices and second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, the roster battles continue to intensify.
This week will tell us a lot about key position battles within the roster. Joint practices are much more intense, and they give players a whole different look than they're used to throughout their own camp; closer to a game type feeling.
For the Bears, on Saturday, there are a few players who need to either bounce back or show that they can continue climbing up the depth chart. To do that, we'd like to see them get extended playing time against Indianapolis.
1. Macon Clark, DB
Undrafted rookie Macon Clark still has a ways to go if he wants to make this roster, but he showed some good things against the Titans last week. Clark came to the Bears by way of Tulane and is pretty far back on the depth chart, but after the Tennessee game he could be moving up.
Originally coming out of college as a safety, Clark has played some corner and nickel for the Bears where he probably fits a little bit better, and where he has a better chance of making the roster, quite frankly.
Against the Titans, Clark earned a strong tackling grade of 79.8 via Pro Football Focus, on the field for 22 snaps, and played pretty well against the run. That fits right into some of his scouting reports out of college which said he was an instinctive tackler and hurries to the ball. If he can show a little more intuitiveness against the pass, Clark might just be able to sneak his way onto the roster.