The Bears reduced their roster to 53 men before the deadline on Tuesday afternoon. These events were subsequently Hard blowswhich is completely understandable.

It would be impossible to record, edit and master an episode that quickly. The fourth episode of the series focused on last week, when the Bears closed out the preseason with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

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This episode wasn’t quite as insightful as last week’s, which gave us a behind-the-scenes look at GM Ryan Poles’ attempt to acquire Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots. There were more human interest stories, many of which focused on players who were injured or recently released, so one of those stories was a little uncomfortable given what we now know.

The most important thing to take away from this part: injuries are veeeeeeeeal.

This was also discussed last week, but this point was made even clearer by an issue where we covered in detail the injury to Ian Wheeler – he has been a big focus this season – although oddly (and inappropriately) there was no mention of the serious injuries to Larry Borom, Nsimba Webster and Douglas Coleman III, who was placed on a backboard and carried off the field by paramedics.

Wheeler said he took a helmet hit on the outside of his knee and from footage broadcast later in the day, it was clear he knew something was seriously wrong.

“I’m in a terrible mood right now,” running back coach Chad Morton said on the sidelines after Wheeler was injured. “I’m devastated. Just devastated.”

Wheeler suffered a torn ACL that ended his season and took him out of the running for a spot in the squad.

In the face of that low point, Velus Jones Jr. seized his opportunity and piled up yards as a running back, a new position the Bears are testing him at this summer. While a job requires a series of performances to earn, last preseason did not hurt his efforts to prove he can play well at a new position.

The footage of Wheeler coming out of the locker room and hugging his mother was moving, especially in its somber silence. The next day, the Poles showed their commitment to Wheeler, saying he would stay with the team, train properly and get another chance at a roster spot.

That’s it for this quieter episode, but next week should be more exciting when we see how difficult it is to cut the squad.

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