Bears DE Julius Peppers sits out second preseason game

Defensive end Julius Peppers was ruled out for the Bears’ preseason game Thursday against the San Diego Chargers at Soldier Field. He also sat out their preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers.

Coach Marc Trestman said this week that he hoped Peppers, who has been dealing with a hamstring strain, would be able to play against the Chargers.

Peppers suffered his injury during Family Fest at Soldier Field and has been limited in practices. He also was recently excused from practices for personal reasons.

“Well, last week he was limited due to a … I think it was a [hamstring],” Trestman said Sunday. “He was excused the other day for personal reasons that were all good and that is why he was gone.

“And then he came back the other day, just off the plane [in Charlotte, N.C. to play the Panthers], late at night, [and] you don’t want to put a player out there dehydrated and so forth, so we decided to leave him out. He practiced again [Sunday] and I expect he’ll play a little bit this week as long as he’s healthy.”

But, as it turns out, the Bears decided to side with caution for another preseason game.