One notable exception: Brian Urlacher.

The Pro Bowl linebacker had an arthroscopic debridement procedure on his left knee Tuesday and he is expected to sit out the entire preseason. His status is a question mark even if his stated goal is to be ready for the regular-season opener against Indianapolis on Sept. 9.

Even with the Bears missing one of their key defensive players, Griffin had a rough time.

He played the first half, completing 5 of 8 passes for 49 yards. But he also got sacked three times and lost a fumble on one, leading to Bush's second touchdown, before Kirk Cousins took over.

''As far as my play went, we really never got into a rhythm, but I think everybody wanted to go back in the second half,'' Griffin said. ''We didn't play bad, but we didn't play good, either.''

Shanahan liked what he saw from the Heisman Trophy winner, particularly the way he handled himself.

''He is very poised,'' Shanahan said. ''He is cool, calm, collected. He gets the guys going, composure, that's the sign of a good quarterback.''

Cutler and Marshall were in sync from the start.

That 41-yarder came on the first play from scrimmage after the Redskins punted on the game's opening possession, and it was just what the Bears envisioned when they reunited the pair.

Marshall got behind Cedric Griffin, and Cutler hit him wide open and in stride on the right side. In one play, the Bears matched their yardage for the first half against Denver last week, and they didn't stop there.

Marshall also turned a short pass into a 20-yarder with a nice spin move on Meriweather, a former Bear, putting the ball on the 17. Bush ran it in from the 1 to give Chicago a 7-0 lead.

''The most exciting part tonight was seeing the other guys,'' Marshall said. ''It's not just Jay Cutler, it's not just Matt Forte or Brandon Marshall or Devin Hester. It's everybody making plays, and it's going to be tough for defenses to game plan against that.''

Things didn't get much better from there for Washington.