INDIANAPOLIS – Wednesday was not a particularly good day for the Bears’ defense, which played with a seeming lack of fire at times, whether uncertain of itself, overly cautious against Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, or something.
That improved visibly on Thursday as the Bears attacked on defense, pressured Luck and his receivers into incompletions and came up with a couple of takeaways, something conspicuously lacking the day before.
“I think [it was] because we started fast,” said cornerback Tim Jennings. “I think yesterday we competed good but we can always get better. Today we had some balls on the ground, guys were making plays, a couple turnovers but we just didn't finish quite as well as we wanted to do, but we can learn from that."
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Jay Cutler was intercepted twice on Thursday by the Indianapolis Colts defense. Right tackle Jordan Mills started Thursday’s practice strong but was unable to finish because of a calf injury. Before he left, however, Charles Leno, a seventh-round pick in the 2014 draft and who played in six games as primarily a sixth offensive lineman, stepped in with the No. 1 unit. Leno had been expected to mount a challenge to Mills for the starting job at that spot but generally hasn’t so far, although Saturday’s game could see both being tried with the No. 1 offense.
Jared Allen was given a veteran’s day off, with Sam Acho working with the No. 1 defense at outside linebacker, a spot where he excelled in the win over the Miami Dolphins.