Did Bears overuse rookie LB Floyd in Game 1?

It was expected that rookie Leonard Floyd would start the season as a situational player, used in obvious passing situations to utilize his pass-rush ability, but learning as he played behind veterans Willie Young and Lamarr Houston.

But the ninth overall pick was in the starting lineup against the Texans (with Young), and he played more snaps (60 out of 75) than any other outside linebacker. He tied for fourth on the team with 5 tackles and combined with Eddie Goldman for a sack.

Veteran inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman, who officially tied with Danny Trevathan for the team lead with 10 tackles was impressed with the rookie.

"He's a rookie, so he's going to be green on a couple things," Freeman said, "but (not) his effort, his willingness to do the right thing, his technique a lot of times. He's a guy that wants to learn and wants to go out there and play effectively. His first step is pretty quick, getting around that edge. He's pretty mature for a rookie."

Despite Floyd's effort, coach John Fox said he might not play quite that much in the future. "In hindsight, we probably would have spelled him a few plays," Fox said. "But he's capable. Remember, this is the first game we've played that many plays. Unfortunately, we were out there for 75 plays. I think that had a little bit to do with it."

Thrilling and agonizing:

How does coach John Fox balance wanting to win now with the reality that his team is trying to develop young players who must be on the field to mature?

"You just coach the heck out of everybody," he said. "This game's only fun when you win. It's a lot of hard work, a lot of hours."

The hard part, Fox said, is the practice. Playing the game is the fun part.

"These guys get paid to practice," he said. "I think most of them would play for nothing. Like the old Wide World of Sports show, "The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat." We live that every week. That thrill of victory is a lot more fun to experience."

Close doesn't count:

Coach John Fox had an encouraging takeaway from Sunday's loss.

"Just how really close we are," he said. "Whether it was on the offensive side, the defensive side or even in the kicking game, there were opportunities. We got a ball out on the ground, Akiem Hicks made a great play, (but) it bounced up to (Texans running back Lamar Miller). We get our hand on the ball on a critical field goal (partial block by Sherrick McManis), and it goes over the upright by a foot.

"So (what stood out was) just how close it is, and yet how much work we have left to do."

Coming and going: Running back Raheem Mostert was signed to the practice squad, and offensive lineman Laurence Gibson and running back Senorise Perry were dropped.

Mostert appeared in 11 games in stints with the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins last year and had 19 kickoff returns for 530 yards (27.9-yard average). He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015 out of Purdue and spent time on their practice squad that year and on the New York Jets' practice squad this season.

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