After getting burned for a touchdown on the Broncos' first possession Thursday night at Soldier Field, Bears cornerback Bryce Callahan was determined to rebound.
The second-year pro did just that on Denver's second drive, deflecting a Mark Sanchez pass that was intercepted by inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman.
"I tried to forget about [giving up the TD]," Callahan said following the Bears' 22-0 preseason-opening loss. "They say 'have a short memory,' but you're still going to remember it. You want to get back out there as soon as possible and make play."
Callahan played nickel back in his first season with the Bears last year as an undrafted rookie. Coaches wanted to evaluate him at cornerback against Denver's No. 1 offense, so they started him and gave established veteran Tracy Porter the night off.
The touchdown that Callahan yielded—a 32-yard pass from Sanchez to a wide open Demaryius Thomas—came after the young defensive back guessed wrong, jumping up to cover another receiver and allowing Thomas to slip behind him.
"I was trying to do too much and came off my guy," Callahan said. "Next time I'll know to just stay with my man and not try to do too much."
Alshon contributes: There were few positives for the Bears in Thursday night's loss, but a major one occurred on their very first play from scrimmage.
Receiver Alshon Jeffery, who was plagued by injuries last season and has been slowed by a mild hamstring strain in training camp, not only started against the Broncos but opened the game with a 12-yard reception from Jay Cutler.
"It's nice to have '17," Cutler said. "He didn't get to play as much in the first preseason game, but we'll definitely try to highlight him as we go through this.
"I think it says a lot [that he played]. The last two days he kind of ramped it up at practice. I wasn't really sure if he was going to go or not, but he wants to be out there with us. He's got an energy. There's something about him this year, which is exciting for us."
Smooth transition: Cutler had no issues working with new center Ted Larsen, a seven-year NFL veteran who moved from guard earlier this week after Hroniss Grasu tore his ACL in last Saturday's Family Fest practice.
"It was smooth," Cutler said. "He's a pro. He's a vet. He's been there. He's done it. I think all of the other guys have worked with him at some point during camp and OTAs. I think it was like riding a bike for him. We hopped in there and we didn't miss a beat."
Stepping up: Rookie cornerback Deiondre Hall, a fourth-round draft pick from Northern Iowa, showed his ball skills in the second quarter by breaking up passes in the left corner of the end zone on back-to-back plays.
"That's a positive," Fox said. "Guy's a young guy. It's his first game experience, our first time seeing him in game conditions."
Roster notes: Bears players who did not suit up Thursday night due to injuries were receivers Eddie Royal and Derek Keaton, tight ends Zach Miller, Greg Scruggs and Ben Braunecker, offensive lineman Amini Silatolu and outside linebacker Roy Robertson-Harris.
The Broncos played without four key defensive starters in outside linebackers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware and cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr.
