Bears receiver Tyler Scott was made aware early last week that he may be a healthy scratch for the season opener against the Titans. After playing in all 17 games his rookie season, Scott wasn't expecting to be inactive, but the offseason additions of No. 9 pick Rome Odunze and veteran Pro Bowler Keenan Allen created a more crowded receiver room.

Still, Scott remained in his playbook, stayed on top of his film study and continued communicating with quarterback Caleb Williams and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.

"As far as preparation and being ready last week, it didn't change my mindset because anything could happen," Scott told reporters Wednesday. "Someone could go down and you gotta be up, so I was preparing as if I was going to be playing on Sunday."

Scott will keep that same mentality heading into Week 2's primetime matchup with the Texans, especially now that there's seemingly a greater possibility of him being active. Coach Matt Eberflus told reporters that Odunze is day-to-day with an MCL sprain while Allen rested Wednesday due to a heel injury.

"Rome will still be day-to-day, so that will be a question and that's what I have for you right now," Eberflus said. "Keenan Allen's heel, we're going to let him rest up for the day and see where it is tomorrow."

While Eberflus doesn't consider Odunze's injury serious, the timetable for his return is undetermined, giving room for Scott to play in Houston.

"Tyler Scott, just opportunity," Eberflus said. "You're looking for an opportunity, a crack in the door, because it was a strong receiving group that we feel that we have this year. And again, we've still got to prove it, but I would say opportunity. When that door opens, man, you take your opportunity and run with it."

Scott feels ready to seize that opportunity when it presents itself. The second-year pro flashed in the team's final preseason game against the Chiefs — catching six of his nine targets for 99 yards and adding a 17-yard run.

"I'm excited for this week," Scott said. "I'm hungry and eager, especially when you're sitting on the sideline Game 1 and wishing you could be out there. I definitely have a little bit more of a chip on my shoulder."

The experience Scott gained by consistently playing as a rookie has helped allow him to keep a level head.

"It's the same thing this week — same film study, preparation, not letting the moment get too big," Scott added. "I got a year under my belt — played all 17 games last year, so I'm a lot more comfortable. Probably last year at this moment, I would've been a lot more stressed out and tense, all in my playbook and feeling a little more nervous. But I'm a lot more relaxed this year and have a better mindset."

Taylor motivated to help Bears win

Sixteen days after defensive end Darrell Taylor was traded from Seattle to Chicago, he recorded three pressures and 2.0 sacks – including a key strip-sack of Will Levis. His strong Bears debut played a key role in the defense's second-half surge on Sunday when they held the Titans scoreless and forced three takeaways in the final 30 minutes of the game.

Taylor's performance gave him an added layer of confidence not only in his own play, but in his new group of teammates.

"I learned that this team is resilient," Taylor told reporters Wednesday. "Nobody blinked an eye. We were all still excited. Any sudden change moment, we were ready to attack it. That just had me excited about everything that we have going here."

While Taylor quickly settled into the Bears locker room and expressed his excitement to play with Pro Bowlers like defensive end Montez Sweat and cornerback Jaylon Johnson, the trade initially brought up some emotions.

"My motivation definitely went up some," Taylor said. "You want to fight and stay with the team you got drafted by as long as you can possibly stay there. So when I felt like they didn't need me there anymore, it definitely motivated me — lit a fire inside my heart."

Now with a game in Chicago under his belt, Taylor's sole focus is being an integral part of his new team.

"That's why I think the game played out the way it did [for me]," Taylor added. "I definitely wanted to let my teammates and this coaching staff know what I'm here to do and what I'm here for — to be a part of this team and help [them] win."

Stevenson recognized for Week 1 performance

Second-year cornerback Tyrique Stevenson's 43-yard pick-six in Sunday's 24-17 victory earned him this season's first NFC Defensive Player of the Week honor.

Stevenson's interception — the Bears' first of the season — capped a stretch of 24 unanswered points in the second half. The 2023 second-round selection praised the entire defense when asked about receiving the award for the second time in his career.

"I'm definitely grateful for the experience," Stevenson said, "but honestly, I feel I have got more room to [grow] and I've got some things I need to go back on and look on and step up my game. But definitely happy for the accomplishment, the recognition, but definitely want to give a big shout out to the defense because without this defense stepping up and standing on our standards, I wouldn't have this award."

Stevenson's success in Week 1 was a result of his steady growth between his rookie and sophomore seasons. The Miami product built off his late-season success in 2023, when he registered all four of his interceptions in the final seven weeks of the year.

"I already knew there was no drop off," Stevenson said. "I knew I wanted to come back in and show what I showed last season, but times 10 because I put in the work and everything like that. It's really just for the outside people [who] put up stats and everything, this and that, that comes with it, just to show them that there ain't no drop off. And the guys on this team and the guys in the locker room know that there ain't no drop off."

Injury Report

In addition to Odunze and Allen, defensive end DeMarcus Walker missed Wednesday's practice with a foot injury.

Players limited in the padded practice include offensive linemen Kiran Amegadjie (quad) and Ryan Bates (shoulder/elbow), fullback Khari Blasingame (hand/knee) and defensive lineman Zacch Pickens (groin).