CLEVELAND — It wasn’t quite a dress rehearsal with four key starters out, but the Bears’ defense likely will go into the regular season feeling pretty good about itself.
Even without linebacker Roquan Smith, defensive end Robert Quinn, safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Jaylon Johnson — their four most-proven defensive players —the Bears shut down the Browns’ struggling offense in the preseason finale Saturday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bears also were without rookie safety Jaquan Brisker, a likely starter who has not played since injuring his thumb in the preseason opener against the Chiefs.
A makeshift lineup forced two three-and-outs and a missed 58-yard field goal attempt on the Browns first two offensive possessions.