Bears-Texans score: Caleb Williams' backups lead Chicago before inclement weather ends Hall of Fame Game early (2024)

GAME DELAYED BY INCLEMENT WEATHER

The jumbotron at the stadium warns of "severe" weather approaching and has asked all fans in attendance to clear the stands. On the ESPN broadcast, Joe Buck mentioned that there has been lightning in the area and seemed not to know if the game would even be resumed.

Caleb Williams teases his own preseason debut

The Bears' No. 1 overall draft pick didn't take a snap Thursday, but that doesn't mean he won't be seeing exhibition action sometime soon. Speaking to ESPN from the sidelines, Williams teased that his "time is coming soon," admitting he already expressed to coach Matt Eberflus his giddiness to get on the field. ESPN also reports that Williams is set to receive 45-55 snaps in the Bears' final three preseason games.

Rypien, Johnson connect for another score

Chicago's third-string duo is putting up a heck of a performance. Collin Johnson lost what looked like a fantastic catch down the sideline on a challenge from DeMeco Ryans, but he made up for it later in the drive with his second touchdown catch of the game. He now has 3 grabs for 56 yards and 2 scores. Rypien, meanwhile, is 11 of 15 for 166 and 3 touchdowns.

Stars of the first half

By this writer's account, these players stood out most in the first two quarters of 2024 preseason play:

• Texans QB Davis Mills: Nothing too spicy from the veteran backup, but he was crisp and efficient taking what Chicago afforded him, finishing 10 of 13 and leading two consecutive scoring drives.
• Bears QB Brett Rypien: While Tyson Bagent is an intriguing youngster at No. 2 on Chicago's depth chart, the veteran journeyman was surprisingly sharp, firing several tight-window touchdown passes.
• Bears RB Khalil Herbert: Forgotten in a running back room now starring D'Andre Swift, this guy's still got some juice. Racing to 35 yards on just four carries, he should have a role in this offense.
• Texans RB Cam Akers: Looking to carve out a reserve role, the former Rams starter showed nice cuts on a 14-yard reception and subsequent red-zone carry and touchdown catch.
• Bears WR Collin Johnson: The former Giants prospect, who joined Chicago last October, made an impressive leaping grab downfield, also scoring to headline the Bears' backup receiving corps.

Bears answer with a quick scoring drive

Brett Rypien is rolling. He led the Bears on a five-play, 72-yard touchdown drive that took just 58 seconds off the clock, completing all five of his passes along the way. He hit Collin Johnson (who scored earlier in the game) with a gorgeous back-shoulder throw and catch for a 27-yard gain early in the drive, then connected with Tommy Sweeney from 22 yards out to cut into Houston's lead.

Texans score again, with Cam Akers looking explosive

Cam Akers was only recently signed by the Texans, but if the first drive of his Houston career is any indication, he is back to full health following the second Achilles tear of his career. He carried 5 times for 13 yards and added 2 catches for 18 yards and a touchdown on Houston's latest drive to put the Texans up 17-7. The first of his two catches saw Akers shake a defender in space on a broken play, while the second saw him end up wide open in the front of the end zone for the score.

Bears respond with a touchdown of their own

No. 3 quarterback Brett Rypien took the second drive for Chicago's offense and he led the team down the field for a score with two big plays. The 8-play, 80-yard drive included an 18-yard completion over the middle to Tommy Sweeney, who fumbled after the catch, only for the Texans to fumble the recovery right back to the Bears. Rypien capped things off with a 20-yard strike to Collin Johnson for the score.

Herbert flashes big-play ability for Bears

Roschon Johnson got the official start for Chicago at running back with veteran addition D'Andre Swift resting on the sidelines. But Khalil Herbert showed lots of juice in relief of Johnson on the Bears' second offensive drive of the night, picking up 35 yards on just four carries, including 19 on a single burst. The eye test says he warrants RB2 consideration behind or in tandem with Swift.

Ex-Rams WR Skowronek makes a leaping grab

A relatively surprise cut by Los Angeles this offseason, Ben Skowronek found himself on the receiving end of a downfield strike from Davis Mills on the Texans' second drive of the night. Mills also showed off some pocket poise, eluding early pressure to step up and thread the needle over the middle.

Andre Johnson headed to the Hall of Fame

ESPN just did an interview with former Texans star Andre Johnson, who is being inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday. Johnson was teammates for six years with Texans coach DeMeco Ryans, and said that he knew during their careers that Ryans would become a good coach due to his leadership style. Johnson is apparently giving the final speech at the induction ceremony, with fellow former Miami Hurricane Devin Hester among those scheduled to speak before him.

Texans march for game-opening score, lead 7-0

Led by Davis Mills (5-7, 44 yards, TD), the Texans went right down the field for a touchdown on the opening drive of the 2024 NFL season. Mills connected with tight end Teagan Quitoriano on a 9-yard score to cap a 13-play, 74-yard drive that was aided by a third-down pass interference penalty in the red zone.

Dynamic Kickoff makes its debut

For the first time ever, we saw the Dynamic Kickoff in an NFL game. For a primer on the new kickoff rules, check out our explainer right here. Get ready to see more kick returns this year thanks to these new rules.