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          Bears' Velus Jones Jr. tiptoes down the line off a reverse for a 42-yard score

          • Courtney Cronin, ESPN Staff WriterJan 8, 2023, 07:24 PM
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              Courtney Cronin joined ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings before switching to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is a frequent panelist on Around the Horn and host of Best Week Ever on ESPN Radio. She also co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News as a multimedia sports journalist.

          CHICAGO -- As a franchise, the Chicago Bears won't benefit from a potential win over the Minnesota Vikings, but rookie wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. is using one final opportunity in Week 18 to prove his value.

          Jones took a toss from quarterback Nathan Peterman on a misdirection play and went 42 yards down the Vikings' sideline for the second touchdown of his career with 3:42 to play in the second quarter Sunday. The rookie's first touchdown was also against the Vikings in Week 5.

          Minnesota defenders believed Jones stepped out of bounds, but the receiver worked his way down the sideline before breaking away en route to the end zone. The Bears set a franchise record for rushing yards in a season on Jones' touchdown.

          The Vikings were offside on Cairo Santos' made point-after, a penalty that coach Matt Eberflus accepted. However, the Bears did not convert on their subsequent 2-point attempt when Peterman couldn't connect with tight end Cole Kmet. Chicago ran off the field following Jones' touchdown trailing 16-6.

          Chicago currently holds the No. 2 pick in the draft. If the Bears lose to Minnesota and the Texans beat Indianapolis, Chicago will jump ahead of Houston in the draft order for the No. 1 pick.