Backups struggle in defeat to Bears

Associated Press

CHICAGO

Johnny Knox came up with an over-the-shoulder touchdown catch, and if he keeps it up he might regain his spot as the Chicago Bears’ starting receiver.

Knox made his scoring catch early on, backup quarterback Caleb Hanie looked sharp and the Bears closed out the preseason with a 24-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night.

Chicago’s Jay Cutler watched from the sideline along with the rest of the skill-position starters, and the first-team offensive line joined them there after one series.

Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers never made it back onto the field after the pregame introductions, and the few defensive first-teamers that did play joined them there after one possession. The Browns went mostly with reserves, too, holding out quarterback Colt McCoy and pulling top pick Phil Taylor after the first quarter.

With both teams taking the cautious approach, this was a night for backups and Hanie and Knox took advantage.

They connected on a 19-yard touchdown on Chicago’s second possession, with Hanie lofting the ball over two defenders and Knox making the catch in the left corner of the end zone, boosting the lead to 10-0.

Former Ohio State star Dane Sanzenbacher did little to hurt his case for a roster spot with four catches for 50 yards. He did muff a punt but recovered it.

For Cleveland, Seneca Wallace started at quarterback for McCoy and struggled, going 4 of 9 with 52 yards.

Jarrett Brown looked good, though, completing 10 of 15 passes for 92 yards. He hit Rod Windsor on a 38-yard TD early in the fourth quarter that pulled Cleveland within 17-14 but also threw an interception.

Armond Smith, trying to make the roster, had a 6-yard TD run late in the first half and finished with 47 yards on 11 carries.

Quinn Porter, who’s also hoping to survive the cut, had 17 yards on five attempts.