The first half of the preseason game against the Bengals provided glimpses of some of the Bears’ roster battles with the first round of cuts coming as soon as Sunday:
>> Charles Leno Jr. started at right tackle for the second consecutive exhibition. Jordan Mills remained with the second team.
>> Veteran cornerback Alan Ball started opposite Kyle Fuller. Sherrick McManis was the first nickel back.
>> The Bears rotated cornerbacks in Cincinnati, but Ball, Fuller, Terrence Mitchell and Tracey Porter all played before Tim Jennings took the field with the defensive starters.
>> Outside linebackers Willie Young and Lamarr Houston were the first to spell starters Jared Allen and Pernell McPhee. Outside linebacker Sam Acho sat with an illness.
>> The Bears’ goal-line package featured safety Brock Vereen with Antrel Rolle and Adrian Amos.
>> Tight end Zach Miller continued to play fullback with the first-team offense. He also was in two tight-end sets with starter Martellus Bennett.
>> With receiver Marc Mariani playing with the first-team offense, running back Senorise Perry returned kickoffs in the first half.
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