Nagy impressed with rookie RB Herbert
The Bears leaned heavily on rookie running back Khalil Herbert in their first preseason game. He played 23 snaps, while the team’s other five running backs totaled 29 combined.
“He’s really caught my attention . . . ” coach Matt Nagy said Monday. “You talk about the word ‘trust’ — he hasn’t made many mistakes as a rookie. He’s very, very smooth. When he gets the football, you can see the burst that he has . . . .
“I just really like where he’s at right now.”
Training camp is filled with exhibition superstars — just ask fellow running back Ryan Nall
— but Herbert put together a well-rounded box score. He ran six times for 38 yards, caught three passes for 11 yards, returned a kick for 16 yards and totaled nine special-teams snaps.
At best, Herbert profiles as the team’s third running back — and that’s not counting the injured Tarik Cohen. He figures to make the biggest impact on kicks. Herbert said special-teams coordinator Chris Tabor “wants me to learn all parts of different special teams, so I’m able to go wherever he needs me to go.” That applies to offense, too. “Just show [coaches] that I’m able to do whatever they need me to do,” said Herbert, who played at Virginia Tech last year after transferring from Kansas. “Whatever you need me to do, I’m going to try to do it to the best of my ability.”
Peters in progress
The Bears signed 39-year-old left tackle Jason Peters ,whoisa nine-time Pro Bowl player, on Monday, but he has yet to practice.
“In the next couple days I’ll probably know more as far as when and everything,” said Nagy, who has spoken with Peters. “But we’re looking forward to it. I know he is, too. And again, we’ll have to get him going, see where he’s at and everything.”
Unvaccinated free agents must
pass five days’ worth of tests before joining a team. It’s unclear if Peters is vaccinated.
The Bears need reinforcements at tackle: rookie Teven Jenkins (back) and veteran Germain Ifedi (hip) have yet to practice, while fifth-round pick Larry Borom has a concussion.
Center Sam Mustipher is eager
to pick Peters’ brain.
“I’ll probably be asking him more questions than he wants me to ask,” he said. “But I just want to learn from him and understand, ‘What do you do that sets you apart from everybody else?’ ”
Injury report
Running back David Montgomery
felt general soreness during warmups Monday, the team said, and was held out the rest of the practice. He played one snap Saturday.
Cornerback Desmond Trufant and receiver Rodney Adams were out for personal reasons. Offensive lineman Tyrone Wheatley Jr. had an illness.
Nall (chest) and cornerback Michael Joseph (broken thumb) were held out. During Monday’s practice, outside linebacker Ladarius Mack left with a hamstring injury.
Safety Tashaun Gipson (groin), cornerback Artie Burns (quad) and receiver Marquise Goodwin (foot) returned to practice.