The following Bears are inactive for their season opener against the Bengals: cornerback C.J. Wilson, running back Michael Ford, defensive end David Bass, wide receiver Marquess Wilson, tight end Dante Rosario, defensive tackle Zach Minter and guard James Brown.
Without any injuries, there was some mystery to which Bears would be sidelined for the opener. Five rookies are among the inactive players, and the list includes the two newest Bears: Bass and Rosario. With Brown out, Eben Britton and Taylor Boggs are the backups at the guard position - though Britton is also the swing backup at tackle.
Earl Bennett returning to full health allows the Bears to make Wilson inactive and continue to develop him at their pace. Same goes for Minter due to Henry Melton being back at 100 percent.
For the Bengals, left tackle Andrew Whitworth, cornerback Brandon Ghee, guard Mike Pollak, safety Shawn Williams, running back Rex Burkhead, wide receivers Dane Sanzenbacher and Ryan Whalen and defensive end Margus Hunt are inactive.
Anthony Collins will start on the blind side for Whitworth, who missed practice all week with a knee injury. Whitworth hasn't missed a start since 2008, which is the last time Collins started at left tackle. Collins does have 18 career starts, but most of them at right tackle.
Bears fans won't get to see Sanzenbacher, who had three touchdown catches for Chicago in 2011. Coach Marc Trestman mentioned the rookie Hunt for his prowess on field goal blocks, but he also will be on the sideline.
