The NFL’s major roster cut day coinciding with the broadcast of the last two episodes of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” creates a unique storytelling challenge. Fans are already aware of the players that secured a spot on the 53-man rosters across the league.

This week’s episode of “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears,” which aired Tuesday, offered viewers a closer look at those players on the edge, grappling to earn their position on the team for the upcoming season. These players belong to a diverse group of hopefuls, including late-round draft picks, undrafted first-timers, ex-practice squad members, and potential future UFL candidates — all trying to navigate the complex landscape of roster spots Nos. 54-90 during NFL training camps.

Many aspirations come to an end when teams trim their crowded offseason/training camp rosters on cut day. Here are the Chicago Bears players highlighted in Tuesday’s second-to-last episode of the 2024 training camp and preseason edition of “Hard Knocks”:

Quarterback Austin Reed: Released

Undrafted rookie Austin Reed had a challenging task ahead of him trying to secure a spot on the Bears’ regular-season roster. With Caleb Williams as the first overall pick and Tyson Bagent as the second-year QB, they held the top two positions. Veteran Brett Rypien seemed like the third-string quarterback, but he was also let go on Tuesday.

It’s typically a bad sign when a non-established starter isn’t getting playing time in the preseason, which was the case for Reed. He had limited action in the Bears’ initial two preseason games, and though he did play the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs last Thursday, he was absent in the third preseason contest.

In that game, Reed shined, successfully completing 8 of 10 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. After contributing to the Bears’ perfect preseason performance, Reed gathered his teammates for a motivational talk.

“We often discuss legendary teams,” Reed remarked. “We see the Patriots, the Legion of Boom, and the ’85 Bears. Now, the ’24 preseason Bears will be part of that conversation for a long time to come.”

Reed will remember his undefeated preseason, which was expertly chronicled by NFL Films and HBO, as he steps into the unpredictable world of professional football.

Running Back Velus Jones Jr.: Made the Roster

Jones is navigating a transition from wide receiver to running back, although he remains listed as a WR on the team’s roster. He had a standout performance against the Chiefs, rushing for 111 yards on 13 carries and scoring a 39-yard touchdown. His explosive speed is a valuable asset, but it remains unclear how much playtime he will receive in a now-competitive Bears offense.

Running Back Ian Wheeler: Placed on Injured Reserve

This was a tough narrative to follow in this week’s “Hard Knocks” episode, given Wheeler’s struggles in the preseason finale.

This week’s footage heavily featured undrafted rookie Wheeler as he balances pursuing his NFL aspiration while putting his medical schooling on hold. NFL Films captured his journey through training camp, showcasing his triumphs and challenges, along with pivotal coaching from running backs coach Chad Morton and assistant coach Jennifer King.

Wheeler almost scored a long touchdown catch against the Chiefs, but the play was negated due to a forward pass penalty. Unfortunately, he sustained an injury during a follow-up run, which forced him to leave the game. This moment was poignantly documented from the perspective of his mother, Beaura Wheeler, making it particularly emotional to witness.

“I’m devastated,” stated Morton upon hearing of Wheeler’s severe knee injury.

Wheeler was diagnosed with a torn ACL and will reside on injured reserve, sidelining him for the entire 2024 NFL season.

Defensive Back Adrian Colbert: Released

A veteran with a history of bouncing from one team to another, Colbert entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick for the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. Since then, he has played for nine additional teams. He joined the Bears in 2022 and played in two games before sitting out the entire 2023 season on injured reserve.

Colbert shared a harrowing tale about being hit by a car while cycling at the age of nine, resulting in a long ICU stay and a two-week coma. Doctors initially told him that he might never play football again.

Fast forward to the preseason game against the Chiefs, Colbert struggled with missed tackles, one of which allowed running back Carson Steele to score a long touchdown. He did, however, manage to deflect a significant pass attempt from quarterback Chris Oladokun toward receiver Kadarius Toney (notably, all three players involved in that play were also released on Tuesday). Later in the game, Colbert forced a critical interception by hitting Oladokun, resulting in a pick-six by Reddy Steward.

A striking moment in “Hard Knocks” showcased Colbert’s meditative pregame routine featuring sound bowls, contrasted against the intense, hyper-masculine atmosphere of an arm wrestling match with Travis Bagent, who is the father of the Bears’ backup quarterback. Travis claimed victory in this contest.