CANTON, Ohio – With Bears starters not playing in the Hall of Fame Game Thursday night against the Texans, reserves will have a golden opportunity to impress. Here are six of those players to watch in the preseason opener:

Offense

In a perfect world, rookie Caleb Williams remains healthy and thrives as the starter all season long. But Bagent needs to prepare to step in if needed, and starting the Hall of Fame Game will give him valuable reps operating first-year coordinator Shane Waldron's offense.

Last year as an undrafted rookie from Division II Shepherd University, Bagent performed well enough in training camp and the preseason to earn the No. 2 job. He then went 2-2 as a starter in place of the injured Justin Fields.

The Bears showed their faith in Bagent during the offseason when they decided not to bring in an experienced veteran to back up Williams. Bagent no doubt appreciated the vote of confidence but told reporters he was more focused on preparing for his second NFL training camp.

"I didn't really think too much about it," he said. "I was too busy grinding my absolute face off."

Carlson is a fourth-year pro who played just one snap for the Bears last season—that came on special teams in a Week 10 win over the Panthers. The 6-4, 240-pounder has consistently made plays in the passing game throughout training camp, often connecting with Bagent.

With starters sitting out Thursday night's Hall of Fame Game, Carlson will seemingly have an opportunity to increase his chances of earning a roster spot at a deep position that boasts veterans Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett and Marcedes Lewis.

Carlson entered the NFL in 2019 with the Browns as an undrafted free agent from Princeton and appeared in 25 games with seven starts in his first two seasons, catching six passes for 62 yards and one TD. Carlson spent the entire 2021 season on injured reserve with a torn ACL and did not play in 2022.

It's certainly a positive when your head coach brings up your name during a press conference unsolicited, and that was the case for Murray Tuesday at Halas Hall.

"Bill Murray's had a really good camp so far, just naming one guy," said coach Matt Eberflus. "He's done a nice job in pass pro, he's learning it. He's got the athletic ability to get it done. [We] never put a ceiling on any player, so we're excited to see him play too."

Listed third on the Bears' depth chart at right guard behind Nate Davis and Matt Pryor, Murray will try to translate what he's done on the practice field over to Thursday night's preseason opener as he battles for a roster spot up front.

Murray entered the NFL in 2020 with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent from William & Mary and spent his rookie season on New England's practice squad. Heading into the 2022 season, he switched from defensive tackle to guard. Murray spent last year on the Bears practice squad.

Defense

The Bears were out of picks in this year's draft when they traded back into the fifth round to choose Booker, a 6-6, 245-pounder who possesses intriguing pass-rush traits. Last season at Kansas he recorded 56 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss, eight sacks and two forced fumbles, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors.

Booker is eager to show coaches what he can do in preseason games, especially with his pad level and quickness off the ball.

"I feel like I still can compete at this level," he said. "I'm at the same level as all the other guys or better. Just getting in and showing I belong and showing I can dominate at the highest level is a big thing. I think I've shown that at this camp."

Booker relishes his role as a sleeper, saying: "I feel like it helps me. I'm going to continue to get better in the shadows and they're not going to know what's coming."

Colbert has displayed his ball skills in training camp, registering interceptions in practice on back-to-back days last week. Listed third on the depth chart behind veterans Kevin Byard III and Jonathan Owens, Colbert will attempt to increase his chances of earning a roster spot Thursday night against the Texans.

It's a familiar situation for Colbert, who has spent time with 10 NFL teams since being selected by the 49ers in the seventh round of the 2017 draft out of Miami. He has appeared in 41 games with 22 starts for the 49ers (2017-18), Dolphins (2019), Giants (2020), Browns (2021), Jets (2021) and Bears (2022) and also spent time with the Seahawks (2019), Chiefs (2020), Patriots (2021) and Titans (2022).

Colbert has registered 109 tackles, eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in his career.

The 6-2, 205-pounder originally joined the Bears late in the 2022 season and appeared in two games, playing exclusively on special teams. He then spent part of last year on the practice squad.

Ogbongbemiga joined the Bears this year after appearing in 47 games with two starts the past three seasons with the Chargers. The Oklahoma State product signed with Los Angeles as an undrafted free agent in May 2021.

A native of Nigeria, Ogbongbemiga has recorded 36 tackles, 1.0 sack, two tackles-for-loss and two fumble recoveries. After contributing on defense as a rookie with the Chargers in 2021, he played predominantly on special teams each of the last two seasons and will battle for a similar role with the Bears.

It's an even more important position to fill this season with the NFL implementing new rules designed to increase the number of kickoff returns.