Bears first-month foes already adapting

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As the Bears check into Bourbonnais, they'll certainly face their own health, roster, and depth chart challenges between now and the Sept. 11 opener in Houston. In fact, they've already been confronted with a thinning of veteran depth on the offensive line, with the retirements of Manny Ramirez and Nate Chandler. Keeping what they still have in good health will be key over the next six weeks. The last thing they want to face is the pre-Week 1 juggling they were forced into a year ago, when the main camp drama concerned Kevin White's health.

Since late last week, three of the Bears' first four opponents have been either forced to, or have chosen to, adapt on the fly before they were even settled into their dorms.

The big one, of course, involves that first foe, the Texans. As much as we probably shouldn't put anything past J.J. Watt that's physical in nature, it's hard to believe he'll be ready for the Bears after back surgery last week. And even if he somehow is, they'll likely catch a break in that he won't be in three-time Defensive Player of the Year shape.

[SHOP: Gear up for the 2016 season, Bears fans!]

On a lesser scale, when the Bears travel back to Texas two weeks later to take on the Cowboys, Rod Marinelli won't have last year's second-round pick Randy Gregory at his disposal after the former Nebraska standout entered a substance abuse rehab facility today and will be slapped with a 10-game suspension. Granted, Gregory didn't do much last year as a rookie and was going to miss that game anyway due to a previous violation. But his latest incident puts him on that same waiting list fellow linebacker Rolando McClain is on, and promising third-year defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence will be three-quarters of the way through a season-opening suspension of his own. Poor Rod.

Finally, the first division rival the Bears will see in week four, Detroit, added some skill, toughness, talent, and, yes, "experience" to its offense by reaching terms with free agent Anquan Boldin Tuesday. No, he and Marvin Jones don't make up for Calvin Johnson's retirement, but Boldin is 12th all-time in receptions (1,009) and 17th in career receiving yardage (13,195). He makes the Lions better and more dangerous than they were when the week began.

Join Chris Wednesday at 2 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet when we bring you live coverage of the opening training camp press conference in Bourbonnais of General Manager Ryan Pace and Head Coach John Fox.  You'll also hear from quarterback Jay Cutler as the team checks into Olivet Nazarene University ahead of Thursday morning's opening practice.

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