Bears Show More Pep In 2nd Preseason Game, Lose To Patriots 23-22
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Tom Brady sat out his second straight preseason game, while the guy that will replace him at the start of the regular season continued to make progress.
Brady didn't go through pregame warmups Thursday night and never made it to the field for the New England Patriots' 23-22 win over the Chicago Bears.
Brady had been expected to make his debut after missing last week's game to attend memorial services for a family member.
Jimmy Garoppolo will start the first four games of the regular season while Brady serves his "Deflategate" suspension, and he made the most of the extra playing time.
He threaded a 16-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to A.J. Derby late in the first half for his first TD pass of the preseason. He played the entire first half and one series in the second half, finishing 16 of 21 for 181 yards.
Jay Cutler and Chicago's offense started the game with a lot more pep following an anemic effort in the opener last week.
The Bears gained 78 yards of offense in the first half of their 22-0 loss to Denver last week. Chicago gained 59 yards in its first drive Thursday and surpassed last week's total in its second possession.
Cutler played three series, completing 8 of 12 passes for 83 yards. Jeremy Langford also had a nice game, rushing eight times for 55 yards and a touchdown.
The Patriots are away for their final two preseason games, so Thursday marked Brady's last opportunity to play in Foxborough until at least Oct. 16. His four-game suspension ends Oct. 3, but New England plays at Cleveland on Oct. 9 in what is expected to be Brady's regular-season debut.
ROOKIE WATCH
Bears: DL Jonathan Bullard, a third-round pick out of Florida, and Georgia first-rounder LB Leonard Floyd got together to corral QB Jacoby Brissett for a sack late in the third quarter.
POSITION BATTLES
Bears: Though he never got a clean hit on a Patriots quarterback, Floyd did force some quick throws, and was one of the few positives for Chicago's reserves ... TE Rob Housler showed off some speed with a 52-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter.
INJURY UPDATE
Bears: CB Jacoby Glenn started in place of Kyle Fuller (sore knee), but left in the third quarter with a concussion. TE Zach Miller and WR Eddie Royal both sat out Thursday's game as they recover from concussions.
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