Tag: Bears roster moves

Bears elevate LB DeMarquis Gates to active roster vs. Browns

With Noah Sewell out, the Bears elevated linebacker DeMarquis Gates from the practice squad to the active roster.

The Chicago Bears elevated linebacker DeMarquis Gates from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of their game against the Cleveland Browns, the team announced on Saturday.

Gates has played in three games this season and has one tackle. His most notable play came against the Detroit Lions in Week 11, when he recovered a fumble on a kickoff return that set the Bears up for a score in their 31-26 loss. Gates takes the roster spot of defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, who was placed on injured reserve this week with a broken ankle, but will fill in specifically for rookie linebacker Noah Sewell, who is out with a knee injury.

The Bears and Browns kick off on Sunday at noon CT.

Bears activate C Doug Kramer off IR, elevate CB Joejuan Williams to the roster

For the first time since he was drafted, Doug Kramer has a chance to suit up in a regular-season game for his hometown team.

Chicago Bears center Doug Kramer Jr. will finally be ready to play in a regular-season game for his hometown team. On Saturday, the Bears announced they had activated Kramer off injured reserve, where he spent the first six weeks of the season dealing with a thumb injury. The Bears also elevated cornerback Joejuan Williams to the active roster for their game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Kramer suffered a thumb injury in the team’s final preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. He was designated to return to practice nearly two weeks ago but had yet to be activated on the roster until Saturday. Now that he’s back in the fold, the Bears have a plethora of centers on their roster, including Cody Whitehair, Lucas Patrick, Dan Feeney, and now Kramer.

The Bears are expected to adjust their starting offensive line for their game against the Raiders, and while it’s unlikely Kramer will become the starting center anytime soon, he’s now an added piece for them to consider if issues at the position persist. Kramer, a native of Hinsdale, IL, was a sixth-round draft pick in 2022 out of Illinois and missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury.

Williams, meanwhile, has played in one game for the Bears since he was signed back in September. With a few members of the secondary either out or questionable, Williams provides depth if they need it.

Report: Bears signing QB Trace McSorley to practice squad

The Bears are adding reinforcements at quarterback with the addition of Trace McSorley to the practice squad, per Jordan Schultz.

The Chicago Bears are signing quarterback Trace McSorley to the practice squad, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, which shores up a position now suddenly in flux.

Starter Justin Fields suffered a dislocated thumb on his right throwing hand in Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Head coach Matt Eberflus ruled Fields doubtful for this Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The expectation is undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent will make his first career start against Las Vegas. Bagent replaced an injured Fields against the Vikings, where he completed 10-of-14 passes for 83 yards with an interception, fumble and rushing touchdown.

Eberflus had previously announced Bagent as the backup quarterback a few weeks back. Nathan Peterman will serve as backup if Bagent starts.

McSorley, 28, is a former sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019. He spent three years with Baltimore (2019-21) and also had a stop with the Arizona Cardinals (2021-22). McSorley was most recently on the New England Patriots’ practice squad this year.

Last season, McSorley appeared in six games with the Cardinals, completing 54.2 percent of his passes for 412 yards with no touchdowns and five interceptions. He added 61 rushing yards and lost two fumbles.

Bears activate CB Kyler Gordon off injured reserve

The Bears welcome back CB Kyler Gordon just in time for Sunday’s game against the Vikings.

The Chicago Bears have activated cornerback Kyler Gordon off injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Gordon missed the last four games after suffering a broken hand in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers. Gordon returned to practice this week, where he was limited Wednesday and Thursday before practicing in full Friday.

With no injury designation, expect to see Gordon back in the lineup at nickel against the Vikings.

“We’re excited where he is,” head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters Friday. “That nickel spot is a big spot for us, and he’s done a good job with that. [There’s] a lot of things in there to do, and he does them well. He’s done a good job all week with that. He’s a real positive guy, so it’s always great to have his energy out there as well. He certainly brings that passion.”

But Gordon isn’t the only defensive back returning to the lineup. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, is good to go against the Vikings. Meanwhile, safety Eddie Jackson, who’s been sidelined for the last three games with a foot injury, is officially questionable. But he’s certainly trending toward playing Sunday.

Bears announce several roster moves, including Kyler Gordon designated to return from IR

The Bears designated CB Kyler Gordon and C Doug Kramer to return from IR and officially signed RB Darrynton Evans to the active roster.

The long weekend for the Chicago Bears has come and gone, and now it’s back to business as usual, which includes a flurry of roster moves as they prepare for a Week 6 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. On Monday, the Bears announced they signed running back Darrynton Evans to the active roster as well as quarterback Nathan Peterman to the practice squad. The Bears are also welcoming back a few players from injury, as they designated cornerback Kyler Gordon and center Doug Kramer to return from injured reserve.

Evans spent the 2022 season with the Bears, primarily on their practice squad. He played in six games, rushing 14 times for 64 yards. He bounced around the league during the 2023 offseason, most notably with the Buffalo Bills, where he made a statement against the Bears in the final preseason game with nine carries for 65 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown. Evans was most recently on the Miami Dolphins practice squad before coming to the Bears.

The signing of Evans is in response to the ankle injury running back Khalil Herbert suffered during last Thursday’s 40-20 win against the Washington Commanders. Herbert is expected to miss multiple weeks with the injury.

While the Bears are preparing to be without Herbert for the next few weeks, they could be getting a key player back in the fold. Gordon is set to return to practice this week after spending the last four weeks on injured reserve. He suffered a broken hand in the team’s Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Gordon had one tackle and one pass defensed before exiting the game.

Kramer, meanwhile, is also returning to practice after missing the first five weeks of the season. The second-year center was injured in the team’s final preseason game and has yet to play in a regular-season game. Both players will need to be activated within 21 days, or they will revert back to injured reserve.

Bears to activate LG Teven Jenkins from IR, will play vs. Commanders

The Bears are getting back LG Teven Jenkins in time for tonight’s game against the Commanders.

The Chicago Bears finally got a good piece of injury news just in time for Thursday night’s matchup against the Washington Commanders.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Bears are activating left guard Teven Jenkins off injured reserve. He’s expected to play in tonight’s game against the Commanders.

Jenkins landed on IR at the start of the regular season with a calf injury that kept him sidelined for the first four games. After being designated to return from IR, he was a full participant in practice this week.

Jenkins was arguably Chicago’s best offensive lineman from last season, and his return will be a big boost for quarterback Justin Fields and the offensive line.

With Jenkins returning, that means Cody Whitehair is expected to move back to center. We’ll see if Jenkins plays exclusively at left guard tonight or if he’ll perhaps split reps with Lucas Patrick, who served as center for the first four games.

In a corresponding move, Chicago is releasing quarterback Nathan Peterman from the active roster. Peterman was recently passed up by rookie Tyson Bagent for the backup role. The expectation is for Peterman to return on the practice squad.

Bears sign S Duron Harmon to active roster

The Bears added some help at safety with the addition of Duron Harmon off the Ravens practice squad.

The Chicago Bears are signing safety Duron Harmon off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad and to their active roster, the team announced Tuesday.

The move comes as the Bears continue to deal with injuries in the secondary, including safety Eddie Jackson (foot), cornerback Jaylon Johnson (hamstring) and nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon (IR).

During an appearance on ESPN 1000 Monday night, Jackson said the plan is for him to play against the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football. Jackson was listed as a non-participant during Monday’s walkthrough practice.

Harmon, a former third-round pick in 2013, spent his first seven years with the New England Patriots, where he won three Super Bowls. He’s an 11-year veteran, who’s appeared in 161 games with 78 starts.

Last season, Harmon appeared in 17 games with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he recorded 86 total tackles, two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

The Bears have been ravaged by injuries at defensive back, where more than half of their starting secondary is hurt. While Jackson said the aim is for him to play Thursday, Chicago added some insurance with Harmon.

Bears sign CB Joejuan Williams to active roster

The Bears added some help at cornerback with the addition of Joejuan Williams off the Vikings practice squad.

The Chicago Bears are signing cornerback Joejuan Williams off the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad and to their active roster, the team announced Wednesday.

The move comes after the latest injuries to cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson (hamstring) and Tyrique Stevenson (illness) in last Sunday’s loss. Nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon remains on injured reserve.

Williams, a former second-round pick in 2020, spent his first four seasons with the New England Patriots. He signed with the Vikings this offseason and was part of final roster cuts. Williams was later re-signed to the practice squad.

In his four seasons, Williams has appeared in 36 games, including one start, with the Patriots. He totaled 44 tackles and eight pass breakups with one QB hit in that span.

The Bears have been ravaged by injuries at defensive back, where their entire starting secondary is hurt. To what extent, remains to be seen, but we should know more after Wednesday’s practice.

Bears sign QB Nathan Peterman, WR Trent Taylor to active roster

The Bears signed Nathan Peterman and Trent Taylor to the active roster while placing Teven Jenkins and Doug Kramer on IR.

It’s been a busy week for the Chicago Bears, whose roster has already changed a few times since Tuesday’s roster cut deadline. That includes a few roster moves that just became official.

The Bears signed quarterback Nathan Peterman and wide receiver Trent Taylor to the active roster. They also placed left guard Teven Jenkins and center Doug Kramer on injured reserve.

Both Jenkins and Kramer will miss the first four games of the season and are eligible to return in Week 5, when Chicago faces the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football.

Peterman’s signing was something general manager Ryan Poles alluded to during his Wednesday press conference with assistant GM Ian Cunningham. Peterman will serve as a veteran presence in a quarterback room featuring third-year starter Justin Fields and undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent.

Poles stopped short of naming Bagent the backup quarterback, as they sorted out the QB room. And with Peterman now on the active roster, there will be questions about who will serve as Fields’ backup in the Week 1 opener against the Green Bay Packers.

Taylor, who was recently cut from the Bengals, was brought in to serve as the punt returner. Poles clarified as much during his press conference. With Taylor serving as the punt returner, Velus Jones Jr. will be the kickoff returner.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=103]

Bears place WR Dante Pettis on IR, waive injured WR Joe Reed

The Bears announced a couple of roster moves ahead of Saturday’s preseason finale, including placing WR Dante Pettis on IR.

The Chicago Bears announced a couple of roster moves ahead of Saturday’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills.

The Bears have placed wide receiver Dante Pettis on injured reserve and waived injured wide receiver Joe Reed.

Pettis signed with the Bears last season, where he appeared in all 17 games, including seven starts. Pettis had 19 receptions for 245 yards and three touchdowns. He also served as a punt returner, averaging 9.1 yards on 18 returns.

Pettis started training camp on the non-football injury (NFI) list, where he missed the first couple of weeks of camp. While he returned, he suffered another injury that’s since kept him sidelined.

With Pettis on IR, the Bears have a glaring hole at punt returner. Velus Jones Jr. is certainly a candidate to fill the role, but he’s had struggles fielding punts dating back to his rookie season. Still, at this point, it feels like Jones is a roster lock at wide receiver.

Reed, a former fifth-round pick by the Chargers in 2020, signed a reserve/future contract with the Bears in January. He served as a kick returner with Los Angeles, averaging 20.7 yards on 21 kickoff returns in 11 games as a rookie. Reed hasn’t played in a regular season game since his rookie season.

Following these and other roster moves this week, the Bears have 86 players currently on the roster, which means they’ll only need to waive 33 players by Tuesday’s cut deadline at 3 p.m. CT.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=103]