Final chance for some Chicago Bears to impress

Chances are Chicago Bears coach John Fox and his staff already have an excellent idea of what the 53-man roster will look like, even before Thursday night's final preseason game at Cleveland.

The last 22 cuts aren't due until 3 p.m. Saturday, but contrary to some perceptions few, if any, roster spots are decided in the final preseason game.

And Fox isn't expected to play any starters, even though Browns coach Hue Jackson intends to give his first team a little extra work.

So where's the interest in watching the Bears' backups line up against the Browns?

Because of current injuries and those that are inevitable, Thursday night's backups are tomorrow's starters, as the rash of Bears injuries already has shown.

So in addition to a bit of bottom-of-the-depth-chart shuffling, young players have one final opportunity to show coaches they have what it takes to fill in as future starters.

Fourth-round cornerback Deiondre Hall already has gotten playing time with the first team because of injuries to starters Kyle Fuller (knee) and Tracy Porter (concussion), along with top backup Bryce Callahan (hamstring).

So, too, has second-year player Jacoby Glenn.

"We were without a couple key members of the secondary," Fox said of the first three preseason games. "But we got a chance to look at some young guys and make evaluations, and that's what the preseason's for."

With no guarantees on any of the injured corners returning before the start of the regular season, Hall, Glenn or both could be on the field against the Houston Texans on Sept. 11. First-year player De'Vante Bausby also should see significant action in the final tuneup.

"With all young players, those (preseason) game experiences are priceless," Fox said. "They have to experience some of the good, some of the bad, and not making the same mistakes. (Hall) has made good progress, (but) he still needs some more progress."

Hall had an interception on a tipped ball last week but also got turned and burned for a 58-yard completion, which wasn't entirely his fault.

"He wasn't the lone ranger there," Fox said. "I know it appeared that way, (but) we were vacant a post safety that should've been there as well. It wasn't a good down for the Bears, for sure."

Fox believes it's a mistake that can be a learning point for the 6-foot-2 Hall, who has shown he has more than just the ideal height and arm length defensive coaches crave to match up against the biggest receivers.

"He might have gotten crossed up on where the ball was," Fox said. "He might have panicked a bit, which happens some times, and he didn't turn to find the ball. Those are things that we'll coach. He saw it on tape. He'll learn from it and move on."

Third-round draft choice Jonathan Bullard also could make an impact against the Browns. He isn't a starter, but he has shown the ability to disrupt opposing backfields and put pressure on quarterbacks.

"Our expectations are big," Fox said. "My experience has been, if you don't expect much, you don't get much. I think he's lived up to expectations so far."

There already are great expectations for first-round pick Leonard Floyd, and the outside linebacker should get more snaps Thursday to show his pass-rush potential. Minor injuries have slowed his development so far and limited his production.

Fourth-round linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski hasn't had the chance to create expectations because of a hamstring injury early in camp. But he returned to practice early this week.

"As far as our true evaluation, it's a little bit of a leap of faith," Fox said. "We'll kind of march down that road as we move forward."

Kwiatkoski isn't being counted on to contribute in the base defense as a rookie, but like other young players he can give coaches something to think about with his preseason play.

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