Weakness Being Addressed by Bears

One of the aspects badly in need of improvement by Justin Fields based on last year was how he handles the two-minute drill.

Then again, he didn't have a lot of help on those as problems like a receiver getting the ball pick-pocketed from behind or penalties only made his job more difficult.

The Bears have worked extensively at this during the off-season and at camp. On Tuesday Fields took it right down to tenths of a second before getting the offense within range for a 50-yard Cairo Santos field goal.

Fields still had to overcome mistakes to do it.

Cole Kmet got called for offensive pass interference early in the drive and another pass was ruled a sack by Rasheem Green, but Fields got them out of a third-and-16 situation with a pass for 18 yards to rookie Tyler Scott. He also completed two passes of intermediate range to DJ Moore on the drive to the field goal, and managed to down the ball with just enough time to let the kicking unit come onto the field.

"I don't want to say signs of growth," Kmet said. "We've got to go do it in games. This is practice still and we're doing these things in practice and it's awesome to see. I feel like we're executing really well, but what matters is the games.

"We can talk about growth when we see it in games and it's for real. But all these practice situations are preparing us for that. So it's good that we're executing now and doing these things now, but we've gotta carry these things over when it's for real."

For Fields, knowing the offense better is a big factor.

"You'd have to ask him, but I think that's a big deal," Kmet said. "He comes into this new year knowing the offense, knowing the calls and knowing how to go about his business. So I think that for sure plays into it."

Quiet Debut

New Bears defensive end Yannick Ngakoue made his practice debut wearing jersey No. 91, after he aparently got Dominique Robinson to surrender the number. Ngakoue didn't do much and won't as they ramp him up so he's on level conditioning-wise with the other players.

Robinson now wears No. 90.

Pick and Play

Tyrique Stevenson intercepted Fields on a deep ball along the sideline to Darnell Mooney ... Fields in 7-on-7 hit Khalil Herbert on a slant. It was notable because Herbert's use in the passing game is still largely a guessing game since he had very little participation in it his first two seasons.

Non-Participants

Few of the injured players from prior to the Bears day off Monday were able to return to Tuesday's practice. Starting strongside linebacker Jack Sanborn was one who did.

There were more players sidelined on defense, though, as rookie cornerback Terell Smith joined safeties Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker watching practice. Another player who can't afford to be missing time is running back Roschon Johnson. Although he was out on the practice field, he wasn't doing work yet. So the secondary was somewhat in a shambles.

Still out was middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and linebacker Dylan Cole joined him on the sidelines, so more work again for rookie Noah Sewell. Defensive end DeMarcus Walker was back on the field watching practice, but not practicing.

Gone from the offensive line still is backup right guard Lucas Patrick. Starter Nate Davis was back at practice but not yet participating in team drills. Second-year guard Ja'Tyre Carter lined up at right guard with starters.

Safety Eddie Jackson was not at practice. He had a good reason, as he became a father.

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