Tag: daurice fountain

8 takeaways from the Bears’ preseason loss to the Colts

This game didn’t provide many answers, but it raised plenty of questions. Here are our takeaways from the Bears 24-17 loss to the Colts.

All good things must come to an end. For the first time in over two years, the Chicago Bears have lost a preseason football game, snapping their five-game winning streak as well as head coach Matt Eberflus’ undefeated streak since becoming head coach. Okay, it’s not that dramatic but the Bears did fall to the Indianapolis Colts 24-17.

The game was dominated by the backups as neither team played many of their starters, including the quarterbacks. That was very apparent in the first quarter with no scoring of any kind. It wasn’t until the second quarter where things began to heat up. The Colts and the Bears traded long touchdown drives thanks to Gardner Minshew and Tyson Bagent, respectively, and were tied up at 7-7 going into halftime.

Following a field goal and another touchdown from the Bears in the third quarter, it appeared Chicago was on its way to another win. But Sam Ehlinger and the Colts had different plans. Indianapolis orchestrated scoring drives on their final three possessions to secure the win.

In a game with no starters, it can be tough to find noteworthy takeaways. This matchup may not have provided many answers, but it raised plenty of questions. Here are our takeaways from Saturday’s loss.

Bears vs. Colts: Everything we know about Chicago’s preseason loss

The Bears are no longer undefeated in the preseason under Matt Eberflus. Here is everything we know about the loss to the Colts.

Preseason game No. 2 is in the books for the 2023 Chicago Bears as they fell to the Indianapolis Colts 24-17, ending Matt Eberflus’ perfect preseason record. Both teams got off to a rocky start as neither squad had many of their starters out on the field.

Neither team was able to do much offensively through the first quarter. The Colts finally put together a productive drive thanks to quarterback Gardner Minshew, who threw a touchdown pass to Juwan Winfree. The Bears responded with their own touchdown drive, led by undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent to tie things up at halftime.

Things remained tight in the second half but the Colts pulled away in the fourth quarter with two touchdown runs from quarterback Sam Ehlinger. A fumble by Bears fullback Robert Burns ended any comeback bid, which led to a field goal by the Colts to cement the victory.

Here is everything we know following the disappointing loss.

Colts’ player of the game vs. Bears: CB Jaylon Jones

Colts’ rookie CB Jaylon Jones earned our Player of the Game honors.

The Indianapolis Colts returned to Lucas Oil Stadium for their first action of the 2023 season, resulting in a 24-17 win over the Chicago Bears.

Amid their battle with the Bears was a standout rookie in cornerback Jaylon Jones.

Jones, drafted in the seventh round this April, is making the most of his reps and making it hard for the team to ignore his efforts.

Jones showed up to Saturday’s game with energy and hustle, breaking up plays before they had a chance to materialize and making some timely tackles. Additionally, he used his instincts to close in on tackles during drives and even showed potential as a special teams gunner.

Perhaps his most impressive play was a pass breakup in the third quarter that would have been a huge chunk play for the Bears. Quarterback Nathan Peterman launched the ball deep downfield, and Jones promptly got a hand in to break up the pass to former Colts wide receiver Reece Fountain.

Jones finished the game with five tackles, including four solo tackles, and a pass defensed.

WATCH: Bears WRs prank Tyler Scott with expensive dinner bill

The Bears rookie was speechless when he saw the tab.

The Chicago Bears wide receivers enjoyed a nice dinner together before their second preseason game of the season against the Indianapolis Colts on Friday night. But judging by the look on Tyler Scott’s face, the rookie may have wanted to show off his speed by getting out of that restaurant in a hurry after seeing the “bill.”

The position group decided to play a prank on Scott while out to dinner, saying he needed to pick up the tab as part of his rookie duties. The only problem was the total that was given to him was for $20,501.81. Wide receiver Daurice Fountain captured the moment on his Instagram, where Scott was dumbfounded when he saw the total before realizing it was a joke.

The bill was passed around the room before making its way to Scott and Fountain laughed hysterically as the rookie tried to make sense of it. Fortunately, Scott didn’t have to pay and Fountain made sure to note the bill was not $20,000.

 

Though the fun came at Scott’s expense, it’s good to see the receivers bonding together during the preseason. Scott’s status for the game is up in the air after he sat out of Thursday’s practice. The Bears and Colts kick off later this evening at 6 pm CT.

10 Bears players to watch on Saturday vs. Colts

Here are 10 Bears players to keep an eye on when they take on the Indianapolis Colts this weekend.

Preseason game No. 2 is on deck for the Chicago Bears this weekend as they prepare to take on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. This week’s squad will look a bit different than the one that took down the Tennessee Titans 23-17 last weekend, however.

According to head coach Matt Eberflus, quarterback Justin Fields and a few other select starters will not suit up,  The Bears coaching staff believes Fields and others put in plenty of work this week when they held two joint practices with the Colts at their facilities in Westfield, IN.

Even with some of the starters out, there are still many intriguing players worth watching as the Bears look to solidify their team. Many backups and reserves will receive more playing time as a result of Eberflus’ decision, which will help determine the back half of the roster as the regular season inches closer.

Here are 10 players we’ll be watching when the Bears and Colts kick off on Saturday evening at 6 pm CT.

Bears place WR Dante Pettis on Non-Football Injury list

The veteran receiver will not be practicing when the Bears take the field on Wednesday.

The Chicago Bears begin training camp practice on Wednesday but will be without one of their receivers and special teams contributors when they do. On Tuesday afternoon, the team announced they placed Dante Pettis on the Active/Non-Football injury (NFI) list.

The NFI list is for players who have ailments that are unrelated to football activities, or injuries that occur outside of NFL practices and games. Pettis can come off the list at any point and he counts toward the team’s 90-man roster during camp.

Pettis joined the Bears in 2022 and had a modest year on both offense and special teams. He caught 19 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games. He also became the team’s primary punt returner, averaging 9.1 yards per return.

The former 2018 second-round draft pick re-signed with the Bears earlier this offseason and will compete for a reserve receiver spot with players such as Velus Jones Jr., Daurice Fountain, and newcomer Isaiah Ford, who was signed earlier in the day, when he’s activated off the list. Pettis will also look to retain his hold on punt return duties.

Bears sign former Chiefs WR Daurice Fountain to practice squad

It didn’t take long for former #Chiefs WR Daurice Fountain to find a new team.

A day after his release from the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad, Daurice Fountain landed with a new team.

According to the NFL’s official personnel notice for Wednesday, Fountain has signed to the Chicago Bears practice squad. The former fifth-round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts originally joined the Chiefs in 2021, meaning he has familiarity with new Bears GM Ryan Poles. He also was with new Bears HC Matt Eberflus in Indianapolis.

“He’s a guy that I had before in Indy for a short time,” Eberflus said on Wednesday. “We know him, understand what kind of guy he is. He’s an excellent young man and a good team guy.”

 

The entire reason that Fountain left the Chiefs was to pursue different opportunities where he’d have the chance to play. The familiarity with Poles and Eberflus should allow that to happen. Once he gets up to speed, expect Fountain to get some promotions to the 53-man roster.

Fountain finishes his time in Kansas City appearing in two games in 2021. He recorded no official statistics, playing mostly on special teams with the Chiefs.

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Chiefs to release WR Daurice Fountain from practice squad

The #Chiefs are set to release WR Daurice Fountain from the practice squad at his request per report.

The Kansas City Chiefs are allowing one of their practice to pursue other opportunities according to a new report.

Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick revealed on Monday that the Chiefs will release WR Daurice Fountain from the practice squad. A former fifth-round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2018, Fountain first caught on with Kansas City in 2021. After a strong training camp and preseason, Fountain made the initial 53-man roster in 2021, but he would be released in October.

He spent the majority of his time on the practice squad with the Chiefs, but he was called up twice during last season’s playoff run to play on special teams. The 2022 NFL season saw Fountain released during 53-man roster cuts and signed to the practice squad.

According to Derrick, Fountain has received interest from several teams who are seeking receiver help at the midseason mark. With the Chiefs adding another receiver to the practice squad just last week alongside veterans Chris Conley, Marcus Kemp and Cornell Powell, it’s no surprise that Fountain wanted out of Kansas City. He’s always been a team player during his time in Kansas City, routinely seen rooting for his teammates on Twitter on game day. There is no doubt that his presence in the locker room will be missed.

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Chiefs to release WR Daurice Fountain

The #Chiefs have made a surprising move, releasing WR Daurice Fountain in 53-man roster cuts.

The Kansas City Chiefs have made a surprising move in their cuts to get to 53 players.

According to KC Star beat writer Herbie Teope, the Chiefs have released WR Daurice Fountain from the 53-man roster. Fountain spent the 2021 NFL season on the practice squad in Kansas City and was a call-up to the 53-man roster twice in the playoffs due to his special teams ability.

Fountain was the team’s receiver with the second-most yards this preseason behind Justin Watson. He looked to be in a groove offensively and still had a role on special teams. It’s possible the Chiefs could seek to bring him back on the practice squad if he doesn’t catch on with another team.

Many expected Kansas City to go with six receivers this season, but this move suggests that just five (Smith-Schuster, Hardman, Valdes-Scantling, Moore and Watson) could be on the 53-man roster.

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5 underrated Chiefs performances in preseason Week 1 vs. Bears

Upon closer inspection, these five #Chiefs had great performances in preseason Week 1.

The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t come away with a win against the Chicago Bears in Week 1 of the preseason, but they did get some very valuable snaps for members of their roster.

The coaching staff will use those snaps to help evaluate players as they whittle down the roster to 53 players at the start of the NFL’s regular season. The first wave of roster cuts comes on Tuesday, Aug. 16, with Kansas City needing to trim its roster from 85 to 90 players.

While everyone knows the standout performers from the Chiefs’ Week 1 preseason game, there was a handful that might have flown under the radar. Here’s a look at five of the team’s underrated performances in Week 1: