Three Bears takeaways: on punt-return gaffe, interception and RB timeshare

Three takeaways from the Bears’ “Monday Night Football” contest against the Vikings:

Harris mistake

Fed up with Ted Ginn deciding to let punts bounce behind him, the Bears signed veteran Dwayne Harris two weeks ago to give an element of danger to their special teams. Monday night, he did just that — the wrong way. About three minutes into the third quarter, he muffed a punt at the Bears’ 20 that was recovered by the Vikings. He hurt his triceps on the play. The Bears then turned to Anthony Miller, who was effective the rest of the game.

Bad start for Miller

The Bears’ first two offensive plays were absolutely brutal for Miller, the third-year receiver. Blocking on a screen pass to Darnell Mooney, Miller was shoved into the rookie, practically making the tackle for the Vikings. On the next play, Miller ran a deep in route, leapt for a Nick Foles pass, touched it with both hands — and let it carom to Harrison Smith for an interception.

RB timeshare

With David Montgomery concussed, the Bears leaned on Cordarrelle Patterson as their lead running back. New play-caller Bill Lazor rotated running backs, though; Ryan Nall, Artavis Pierce and former Pro Bowl player Lamar Miller all touched the ball in the first half alone.