Bears RB Tarik Cohen shows speed can translate to game action

• Bright spots were hard to find for the first 28 minutes of the preseason game against the Broncos on Thursday at Soldier Field. Mike Glennon had a passer rating of zero, the Bears’ defense committed penalties on four consecutive plays and the sideline chains broke.
• Rookie running back Tarik Cohen looked to be the biggest reason for optimism, that is until quarterback Mitch Trubisky ran the two-minute drill that led to a touchdown to end the first half.
• The 5-6 running back did his best to show that his captivating training camp can translate to game action. Cohen, whom the Bears consider a true third-down back, showed that he’s more than a pass catcher. His speed translated into outside runs, and his body withstood the punishment of live NFL action.
• The fourth-round pick carried seven times in the first half for 39 yards. Had he not grazed the sideline on a spin move, he would have finished with double the yardage.
• He was the team’s first choice to return punts, too, taking one for 17 yards before Eddie Jackson replaced him late in the second quarter.
• “Tarik flashed quite a bit at training camp, and we’ve seen a lot of what he’s capable of,” coach John Fox said. “I think most people saw it [Thursday].”
• Injury update
• Kyle Long and Danny Trevathan continue to progress from surgeries last season, but neither is ready for game action.
• Long, who is recovering from ankle surgery, played in 11-on-11 drills for the first time Tuesday. The Bears hope Trevathan, who is recovering from patellar tendon surgery, could do the same later this week.
• Outside linebacker Lamarr Houston, who like Long returned to 11-on-11 drills Tuesday, did not play; he’s recovering from a torn ACL suffered last year. Receiver Markus Wheaton, who had an appendectomy early in training camp, also sat out.
• Others who did not play: receiver Titus Davis (hamstring), receiver Daniel Braverman (quad), safety Harold Jones-Quartey (ankle), running back Jeremy Langford (ankle) and cornerback Rashaad Reynolds.
• Fourth-string quarterback Connor Shaw also didn’t play; the team ruled him out earlier this week after he had surgery to remove a screw from the leg he broke last preseason.
• This and that
• Outside linebacker Willie Young played after recovering from a slight groin strain. In the first quarter, he was flagged for unnecessary roughness after tackling rookie tackle Garett Bolles to the ground after the whistle.
• — While Cohen got the first chance to return punts, incumbent Deonte Thompson returned kicks to begin the game.
• — Running back Ka’Deem Carey left the game with a quad injury.
• Follow me on Twitter @patrickfinley.
• Email: pfinley@suntimes.com
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