LT1 Battle, Red-Zone TDs Highlight Bears-Bengals Joint Practice
In the Bears-Bengals joint practice, Braxton Jones remains the likely LT1 with Theo Benedet lagging in pass protection, while Benedet’s struggles contributed to a rough finish for the Bears’ offense—no first-team completions in an 11-on-11 period and Caleb Williams being sacked twice by Myles Murphy (one for a safety). Dexter Lawrence disrupted the Bears’ protection, and Jaylon Johnson’s blanket coverage limited Ja’Marr Chase’s targets, though Chase still praised the corner afterward. Dillon Thieneman intercepted Joe Burrow, and the Bears found red-zone payoff with three TDs from Loveland, Davis, and Zavion Thomas; Stevenson and Smith returned to practice, and there were no serious injuries reported.
