Studs and duds from Bears' win vs. Texans in Hall of Fame game

The Chicago Bears defeated the Houston Texans, 21-17, in a weather-shortened Hall of Fame game on Thursday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The game was suspended with 3:31 left in the third quarter due to inclement weather.

Houston jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead in the first quarter, but Chicago battled back with three touchdown drives, including 14 unanswered points to end the shortened game.

The Bears starters, including rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, didn't see the field for this bonus preseason game. But that allowed for depth players and bubble players to make a strong case for a roster spot. And there were a good number who helped their case.

We’re taking a look at the studs and duds from Chicago’s preseason opening win against Houston:

Stud: WR Collin Johnson

Perhaps the biggest star of the evening was wide receiver Collin Johnson, who put on a show following an early drop. Johnson bounced back with an impressive outing with three catches for 56 yards and two touchdowns. That included a 27-yard leaping catch on Chicago's second touchdown drive. He also had another impressive deep grab that was overturned as incomplete.

Stud: QB Brett Rypien

With Caleb Williams not playing in the Hall of Fame and backup Tyson Bagent seeing just one series of action, third-string quarterback Brett Rypien had an opportunity to make a statement -- and he made the most of it. Rypien was part of the 1-2 punch with Johnson, as the pair connected for a pair of touchdowns. Rypien was efficient in his two-plus quarters of play, completing 11-of-15 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns for a 148.9 passer rating.

Stud: RBs Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson

The Bears already have their starting running back in D'Andre Swift, but Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson are battling for that RB2 role. They both got off to a solid start in the preseason opener, averaging north of 4.0 yards per carry. Herbert led the way with four carries for 35 yards (8.8 ypc) with Johnson adding six carries for 24 yards (4.0 ppc). This battle is certainly shaping up to be an intriguing one throughout the preseason.

Stud: S Elijah Hicks

The Bears didn't play their starters in the bonus preseason game, which gave depth players an opportunity to shine. And while safety Elijah Hicks only saw limited snaps against the Texans, he made the most of his first-quarter outing. Hicks had four tackles, including one late in the first quarter that saved a touchdown, which was big for a defense that struggled early against Houston.

Stud: DE Austin Booker

The box score might not show it, but fifth-round rookie defensive end Austin Booker had a strong showing in his preseason debut. Booker had some flashes against the Texans, including one pass rush that collapsed the pocket and led to a strip sack by teammate Byron Cowart that was recovered by the offense. Booker brought good pressure and was in the backfield often in his first NFL action, a glimpse of what's to come in his young career. Booker could certainly carve out a rotational role in his rookie year.

Stud: DT Byron Cowart

Speaking of disruptive defensive linemen, Byron Cowart had a strong showing both as an interior pass rusher and against the run. He was among the defensive standouts among a unit that got off to a rough start. Cowart had three tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble in his preseason opener. The fourth defensive tackle spot is certainly up for grabs, and more dominant outings like Cowart had Thursday night could help him contend for one of the final roster spots.

Dud: WR Dante Pettis

There's plenty of competition going on for those final two roster spots at receiver, and Dante Pettis didn't exactly help his case with a big special teams blunder. Pettis, who had one catch for 11 yards on offense, muffed a punt in the third quarter right before the game was called due to inclement weather. Given the emergence of Collin Johnson and other competition at the return specialist position with Velus Jones Jr. and DeAndre Carter, Pettis could find himself the odd man out.

Dud: LBs Amen Ogbongbemiga, Micah Baskerville

It was a rough game for reserve linebackers Amen Ogbongbemiga and Micah Baskerville, who each had a costly mistake on Houston's opening touchdown drive. Baskerville was called for defensive holding in coverage against Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale on third down, setting Houston a fresh set of downs at Chicago's 14-yard line. Two plays later, Ogbongbemiga was smoked on a Davis Mills to Teagan Quitoriano 9-yard touchdown to give the Texans an early lead.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Studs and duds from Bears' win vs. Texans in Hall of Fame game