The Chicago Bears are about to have their first practice for game week, as they take on the Cleveland Browns in their first preseason showdown.
So far, the storyline of training camp has been all about the injuries the Bears have incurred. They still have a few days to come up with a game plan on how they want to attack the preseason game. Last year, they played the starters in the new schemes, but it's unknown what head coach Ben Johnson will do now.
Until then, five players find themselves on the hot seat to lose starting jobs or their spot on the 53-man roster. Here are the five Bears players who need to step up in practice this week and prove themselves before playing Cleveland.
Bears players who need a strong week of practice before Browns preseason game
Scotty Miller, WR
Miller had some praise at OTAs when he first arrived, but nothing about him in training camp. It's been the Kaden Davis show, which does not bode well for the veteran receiver Miller. The Bears need wide receivers to step up with Luther Burden III and Zavion Thomas hurt, so if Miller is going to make a move, it needs to happen now.
Luke Newman, OG
Some early 53-man roster projections now have Newman on the hot seat to not make the roster. He has created some nice moments in training camp, but he can do more to put himself on the map. With a lot of uncertainty with the backup offensive line, Newman must get the job done now.
Jedrick Wills Jr., OT
With Braxton Jones out, Wills has a chance to win the starting job, but must face off against Kiran Amegadjie for the role. Wills and Amegadjie have split the reps so far, and nothing has really separated them. If Wills can have a strong week of practice and get the start against the Browns, that will give him a leg up on the job and a chance to prove he is back from his injury.
Dayo Odeyingbo, DE
Odeyingbo has been reported to be playing some at defensive tackle for the Bears in training camp. It appears as though Austin Booker is winning the edge rusher job opposite Montez Sweat. If Odeyingbo wants to be back in the conversation to start, he needs to improve his play in practice this week.
Read more: Bears' updated 53-man roster projection sends former first-round pick packing
James Lynch, DT
Rookie Jordan van den Berg is starting to look like a starter on the Bears, which leaves very little room for error for Lynch. The banged-up secondary only means fewer spots will be open for defensive linemen to make it. There's been no noise about Lynch, and some roster projections don't have him making the team, so he'd better start making highlight plays.
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