Bears’ first depth chart lists surprise starters heading into preseason openerJason Lieseron August 10, 2021 at 8:56 pm

The Bears’ first depth chart of the season featured a few surprises and several injury replacements as the team prepares for its preseason opener against the Dolphins on Saturday.

Among the most uncertain position battles, second-year cornerback Kindle Vildor was a first-stringer over veteran Desmond Trufant. That spot is opposite top corner Jaylon Johnson. That’s major progress for Vildor, who was a fifth-round pick out of Georgia Southern and got just 13% of the defensive snaps last season.

Seventh-round draft pick Khyiris Tonga is the starting nose tackle until Eddie Goldman returns from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Nonetheless, he is ahead of eighth-year vet Mike Pennel.

Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn are the team’s top pass rushers at outside linebacker, but the second line is Jeremiah Attoachu and second-year player Trevis Gipson.

Until the Bears’ offensive line health improves, they’re going with Elijah Wilkinson at left tackle and Lachavious Simmons (a seventh-round pick last year) at right tackle. Rookie Teven Jenkins is expected to win the left tackle job, but has yet to practice because of a back injury. Veteran Germain Ifedi, a guard last season, is among the favorites to start at right tackle once he’s back from a hip flexor.

Fifth-round pick Larry Borom, currently in the concussion protocol, was listed as the third-string left tackle.

At wide receiver, the team put newcomer Marquise Goodwin third behind Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney. Goodwin, 30, is coming off an opt-out season but has impressed the Bears throughout training camp.

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