Will Trubisky be latest Bears rookie to make an impact?
Rookies have already made a big impact for the Bears even before first-round quarterback Mitch Trubisky gets his first start on Monday night.
Fourth-round (112th overall) safety Eddie Jackson has started all four games. Running back Tarik Cohen, taken seven picks after Jackson in the fourth round, has 24 receptions, the most ever by a Bears rookie through four games, and he's averaging 6.0 yards on 30 carries. Second-round tight end Adam Shaheen has just 1 catch, but it was for a 2-yard TD.
"That's something we talk about among each other," Jackson said of the rookie production. "We have to go out there and play our part. Coach Fox told us, 'No one is too young to lead.' We have to go out there and show those guys they can depend on us. They can hold us accountable for the things we do on and off the field."
Revolving quarterbacks:
Monday night will be Dowell Loggains 21st game as the Bears' offensive coordinator, and Mitch Trubisky will be the fifth starting quarterback with whom he's worked.
Last year, Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer each started five games and Matt Barkley started six. Mike Glennon started the first four games this season. Loggains says there is a comfort level with Trubisky, even though he's a rookie, because he's been in the system for more than five months. Barkley was signed off waivers in September and by November was the starter.
"We've been around Mitch," Loggains said. "He's had eight games (including preseason) to sit around and watch Mike and Mark (Sanchez) prepare. Seeing what his strengths are and what he's comfortable with is going to help us a lot. We have a better feel for him than when you bring guys in off the street."
Joining the club:
Mitch Trubisky will be the 11th Bears quarterback to start a game as a rookie during the Super Bowl era (since 1966).
Trubisky joins Bobby Douglass (1969), Gary Huff ('73), Bob Avellini ('75), Jim McMahon ('82), Will Furrer ('92), Moses Moreno ('98), Cade McNown ('99), Rex Grossman ('03), Craig Krenzel ('04) and Kyle Orton ('05).
Only three of the rookies won in their debut: McMahon, Grossman and Krenzel. McMahon is the only one in the group to throw for multiple TDs (2) in his first start.
Douglass had the best passer rating (95.1), while Furrer had the worst (11.2). McNown threw for the most yards (255).
Injury report:
Linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (chest) was the only Bear who didn't practice Thursday, although defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (foot), linebacker Willie Young (triceps) and center Hroniss Grasu (hand) were limited.
For the Vikings, quarterback Sam Bradford (knee), who hasn't played since Week 1, was limited, as was starting linebacker Eric Kendricks (illness). Starting safety Andrew Sendejo (shoulder/illness) did not practice.