In the final minutes of the fourth quarter on Sunday at Soldier Field, Josh Blackwell was surprised to find himself on the field at the end of the 24-24 preseason tie with the Miami Dolphins.

It’s not that the veteran doesn’t believe he has to compete for a roster spot, but as the starting nickel back at the beginning of the game with Kyler Gordon, who has a minor hamstring injury, and other starters out, he didn’t figure he’d be closing out the game.

“We didn’t have anyone left,” Blackwell said. “I was just watching them and it was like, boom, boom, boom. Everybody else but me (Jeremiah) Walker and Tre (Flowers) were out (or done playing on a rep count). Everybody. So, here we go.”

The Bears addressed the thinning ranks on Monday when they had eight defensive backs at Halas Hall for a

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