Bears defense ‘loses' Day 1 vs. Colts, Andrew Luck

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INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts put it to John Fox’s Denver Broncos in an AFC divisional game last year. Fox now is in charge of a different team but this one didn’t fare all that much better in what is admittedly a tiny sample size, but…

This was only practice, and only practice before a second preseason game, but the Bears likely were hoping for better in their first practice against the AFC champion Colts at the latter’s facility on Wednesday.

[RELATED - Bears expect first true test by Colts in practice, preseason game]

It was a very stiff test for the Bears’ defense. The Colts were the NFL’s No. 1 passing offense, sixth in scoring and third in yardage. The Bears’ defense wanted a measuring point like this and it everything it wanted and more.

Running Frank Gore, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, signed this offseason as a support beam for quarterback Andrew Luck, repeatedly popped through the Bears’ defensive line in team periods.

“Great player,” said Bears running back Matt Forte. “A guy who has been doing it a long time. Frank is not a guy who who has to come out and you have to stay on him to do stuff. He’s going to be a hard worker. He’s a very gifted running back in his vision and he’s quick so if the whole is there he’s going to find it.”

No pass of Luck’s hit the ground until the third and final 11-on-11 period and none wound up in Bears hands.

[NBC SHOP: Gear up Bears fans]

Still, “we played them a year ago and lost to them in the playoffs,” Fox said. “I pretty much know their roster and what they’re capable of. But they’re a good football team and that’s all part of it; getting the extra work and watching how they do things. You have different styles of offense and defense and that’s good practice for your team. I thought it was a productive day.”

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