Bears rookie wide receiver scores 97-yard touchdown in NFL preseason debut

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Zavion Thomas made an eye-catching start to his NFL career, scoring a 97-yard touchdown on the opening drive of his preseason debut against the Tennessee Titans. The third-round draft pick, formerly of Mississippi State and LSU, turned a short pass from quarterback Tyson Bagent into a full-field sprint to the end zone after starting the drive deep in Chicago's own territory. The play immediately marked him out as a potential contributor for the Bears' offence heading into the regular season.

Thomas finished the game with five catches for 140 yards and a touchdown, alongside 22 yards on kickoff returns and 39 yards on punt returns. Bagent hailed it as one of the best possible starts to an NFL career, noting it was Thomas's very first play in the league. He is currently projected as the Bears' second-choice wide receiver behind Kalif Raymond, joining Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze as targets for starting quarterback Caleb Williams.