One of the new practice-squad changes this season is that teams can choose to protect four players on a weekly basis from being lured away by another team.
The Chicago Bears have designated those four players for the Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions. The Bears have decided to protect kicker Cairo Santos, quarterback Tyler Bray, running back Artavis Pierce and offensive lineman Jamon Brown.
Teams are allowed to protect 4 players among their 16 on the practice squad to prevent them from being signed away by another club this season. It's done on a weekly basis. The 4 players the #Bears designated:
K Cairo Santos
QB Tyler Bray
RB Artavis Pierce
G Jamon Bown— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) September 8, 2020
Considering the Bears just placed kicker Eddy Pineiro on injured reserve — from which he can return, at the earliest, Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts — protecting Santos was a no-brainer. Now, Santos will be kicking for the Bears for the next three weeks.
The Bears are also playing it safe at the running back position, in deciding to protect Pierce. Which is smart considering David Montgomery’s status is up in the air following a groin injury suffered in training camp a couple of weeks ago.
Apparently Chicago believes some teams might be tempted to poach Bray from their practice squad. Bray has served as the Bears’ third-string quarterback since Matt Nagy arrived in Chicago.
Then there’s Brown, who was released by the Atlanta Falcons last month and signed to Chicago’s practice squad this week.
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