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Bears' rookie TE Colston Loveland finally scores first TD in wild game vs. Bengals

While several other rookie tight ends are excelling, the Chicago Bears' Colston Loveland is having a breakout game with his first career touchdown in Cincinnati
Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

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It took until the second half of Week 9 and it happened way after other rookie tight ends have already scored multiple times, but Colston Loveland - better late than never - finally has his first NFL touchdown withe the Chicago Bears.

MORE: Bears begin Week 9 in worst possible way before quickly rallying behind trick-play TD

Loveland, the 10th overall pick in last April's draft, caught a simple post pattern in the end zone from quarterback Caleb Williams for a 5-yard touchdown that gave the Bears a 24-20 lead over the Cincinnati Bengals in the third quarter at Paycor Stadium.

With tight end Cole Kmet leaving the game with an apparent concussion, Loveland is having his best day as a pro. Along with his first touchdown, he has five catches for 60 yards through three quarters. He had only 11 career receptions entering the game.

General manager Ryan Poles' selection of the Michigan product has been a target of much criticism. Through eight weeks, Loveland was drastically outperformed by tight ends drafted after him including Tyler Warren of the Indianapolis Colts, Harold Fannin of the Cleveland Browns and Oronde Gadsden of the Los Angeles Chargers. Entering Sunday, Warren led all NFL tight ends with 37 catches while Fannin and Gadsden both had two receiving touchdowns.

MORE: Chicago Bears' trade of slumping OL Braxton Jones predicted by NFL analysts

The Bears will need all the production from Loveland they can get as they are in a wild offensive game against the Bengals entering the fourth quarter.

Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

Richie Whitt has been a sports media fixture in Dallas-Fort Worth since graduating from UT-Arlington in 1986. His career is highlighted by successful stints in print (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), TV (NBC5) and radio (105.3 The Fan). During his almost 40-year tenure, he's blabbed and blogged on events ranging from Super Bowls to NBA Finals to World Series to Stanley Cups to Olympics to Wimbledons to World Cups. Whitt has been covering the NFL since 1989, and in 1993 authored The 'Boys Are Back, a book chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' run to Super Bowl XXVII.

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