Overview
- Rookie Zavion Thomas opened the Bears’ preseason finale with a 97-yard touchdown from Tyson Bagent on Saturday, then finished with five catches for 140 yards.
- Thomas also provided special-teams value with a 39-yard punt return and a 22-yard kickoff return, giving Chicago extra incentive to keep him as the likely primary returner.
- The rookie had missed the first two preseason games while rehabbing a knee, so his debut served as a quick recovery milestone but represents a small sample for evaluation.
- Thomas fumbled a jet-sweep handoff in the first quarter that Tennessee recovered, and coaches plus GM Ryan Poles praised the performance while stressing the need for consistent detail work.
- The performance arrived at roster cutdown time and now strengthens Thomas’ case to make the 53-man roster as a depth receiver and return specialist ahead of the Sept. 13 season opener.