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The practice squad has become even more important this season for NFL teams with injuries and COVID-19 designations. Teams are allowed to designate up to four practice-squad players every week that are protected from being signed away from other teams.
The Chicago Bears have protected two players on their practice squad this week ahead of Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in quarterback Tyler Bray in new addition running back Spencer Ware.
#Bears have protected QB Tyler Bray & RB Spencer Ware on the practice squad for Week 16.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) December 22, 2020
Chicago has protected Bray every week, as he’s someone with experience in Matt Nagy’s offense that provides emergency assistance. That came in handy several weeks ago when Mitchell Trubisky was sidelined with a shoulder injury and then-starter Nick Foles suffered a hip injury at the end of the Minnesota Vikings game in Week 10.
With running back/receiver/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson day-to-day with a knee injury sustained in last week’s win against the Vikings, the Bears signed Ware to the practice squad as added depth. If Patterson doesn’t suit up — or if he’s limited to just kick returns — Chicago needs someone with experience to back up starter David Montgomery.
Ware, who has worked with Matt Nagy during his time in Kansas City, brings with him an understanding of Nagy’s offense. Although, to be fair, the Bears haven’t exactly been running Nagy’s offense over the last month. Still, Ware provides some veteran leadership to Chicago’s running backs room.
Depending on how Patterson progresses this week, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Ware elevated to the active roster for game day on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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