Bears’ handoff to G Joe Thuney on trick play disallowed

The Bears were flagged for an illegal forward handoff on a trick play in the second quarter of Thursday night’s game against the Patriots at Soldier Field.

The Bears put tight end Colston Loveland at left tackle and had left tackle Ozzy Trapilo line up to the right of their right tackle. Caleb Williams took the snap and handed the ball forward to left guard Joe Thuney, who ran for four yards.

Thuney, a former Patriots legend, was flagged because it’s illegal to hand the ball forward to an interior lineman.

Bears coach Ben Johnson seemed confused by the call, saying the Bears ran the play the same way in practice. The Bears put the play in a few weeks ago.

“I didn’t know that rule,” Williams said.

Thuney hadn’t touched the ball as a pro, short of falling on the occasional fumble.

“It was fun, but illegal, I guess,” Thuney said.

The Bears were forced to kick a field goal after receiver Rome Odunze was flagged for offensive pass interference on the next play.

Notes

• Linebacker T.J. Edwards, who was listed as doubtful because of a hamstring injury Wednesday, was inactive.

• Cubs star Pete Crow-Amstrong and White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth chatted on the field before the game.

• Patriots Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez was downgraded to questionable with an illness before kickoff, but played.