The Bears’ new defense will face one of the stiffest tests in the league during practice: quarterback Andrew Luck.
The Bears and Colts will hold joint practices in Indianapolis on Aug. 19 and 20, the team announced Thursday.
The two practices — which will be held at the Colts’ facility and closed to the public — will be days in advance of the Aug. 22 preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“We felt this was a good opportunity to work against an excellent team that has been to the playoffs the past three years,” Bears coach John Fox told the team web site.
“The timing worked well in terms of where it fit into our schedule. The guys like it as a change-up to what they have been doing the prior three weeks and the competition increases at practice as a result. It will help us with our preparation and evaluation of the team.”
The Bears haven’t held a joint practice in 11 years.