Tag: Bears roster moves

Roster Moves: Bears sign 10 players to reserve/future contracts

The Bears inked 10 players that finished the season on their practice squad to reserve/future contracts on Monday.

The Chicago Bears wrapped up their 2020 season with a wild-card loss to the New Orleans Saints, and now Chicago faces an offseason with a ton of questions.

The Bears signed 10 players that finished the season on their practice squad to reserve/future contracts on Monday.

Bears sign RB Spencer Ware to practice squad, activate DeAndre Carter off COVID-19 list

Chicago made some roster moves on Tuesday, activating two players off the reserve/COVID-list and signing RB Spencer Ware to practice squad.

The Chicago Bears added some depth to their running backs room with the addition of running back Spencer Ware, who the team signed to their practice squad on Tuesday.

Chicago lost veteran running back Lamar Miller off the practice squad when he was signed to Washington’s active roster a few weeks ago. Ware has previously worked with Bears head coach Matt Nagy during his time in Kansas City.

The Bears also activated two players off the reserve/COVID-19 list, including receiver DeAndre Carter and practice squad receiver Thomas Ives.

Carter, who was claimed by the Bears off waivers from the Houston Texans on Nov. 18, served as Chicago’s punt returner for two games. Carter returned one punt for five yards. He was the fifth punt returner used by the Bears this season, with Tarik Cohen, Ted Ginn Jr., Dwayne Harris and Anthony Miller being the others.

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Bears WR Javon Wims is back on the active roster following roster exemption

It sounds like Chicago is giving WR Javon Wims another chance as he’s officially back on their active roster following a roster exemption.

The Chicago Bears had a decision to make regarding wide receiver Javon Wims. The Bears were granted a roster exemption for Wims following the lifting of his two-game suspension after he threw punches at New Orleans Saints defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

It wouldn’t have been a surprise if the Bears decided to part ways with Wims following his actions. But it sounds like Chicago is giving Wims another chance as he’s officially back on their active roster following that roster exemption.

Wims was provoked by Gardner-Johnson, who has a reputation for running his mouth and getting into it with receivers. He was the one that got into a fight with Saints receiver Michael Thomas at practice.

And Gardner-Johnson’s reputation was something that certainly preceded him as receivers coach Mike Furrey warned Wims and the Bears’ receivers to steer clear of him prior to them taking the field when Wims went after Gardner-Johnson.

“I called Javon that night when I got home after the game and I told Javon, I said the most disappointing thing that occurred from that event was the fact that I just sat there on the bench prior to that play and told every single one of you, ‘Do not get involved with 22. Do not retaliate. Don’t put your hands on him. Don’t head-butt him. Get back in the huddle.’” Furrey said. “So the way I handled that, the biggest thing was the communication to learn a lesson – that when someone’s trying to protect you from maybe ruining your career, you need to listen.

“It’s unfortunate that that situation happened, but I think it’s even more unfortunate and disappointing that we addressed it right before it happened. That was the most disappointing part about it.”

The Bears were down to just Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney, Anthony Miller and Riley Ridley at receiver with Wims’ serving his suspension.

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Bears place WR/PR Dwayne Harris on injured reserve

The Bears placed punt returner Dwayne Harris on injured reserve after he suffered what’s believed to be a torn triceps.

The Chicago Bears have placed wide receiver and punt returner Dwayne Harris on injured reserve, the team announced Thursday.

Harris is believed to have suffered a torn triceps during Monday night’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Harris appeared in three games this season after being signed to the practice squad to bring insurance to the punt return game.

In three games with the Bears this season, Harris averaged 8.1 yards on 10 punt returns. His best outing came against the Tennessee Titans in Week 9, where he averaged 10.7 yards on six punt returns. But he did have a costly muffed punt against the Vikings last week before his injury.

Receiver Anthony Miller took over for Harris following his injury last Monday night, where he returned two punts for 43 yards. But don’t expect Miller to take over as punt returner full time.

The Bears claimed former Houston Texans kick returner DeAndre Carter off waivers. Carter will become the fifth punt returner for the Bears this season.

Running back Tarik Cohen tore his ACL on a punt return against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3. Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. filled in for him, but it was clear he wasn’t the answer. Which is when the Bears brought in Harris for a tryout and winded up signing him to the practice squad before elevating him to the active roster.

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Bears activate C Cody Whitehair from reserve/COVID-19 list, add RB Lamar Miller to active roster

Chicago announced several moves on Monday ahead of their game vs. the Vikings, including activating Cody Whitehair and adding Lamar Miller.

Reinforcements are on their way for the Chicago Bears ahead of their primetime matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.

The team announced a bevy of moves on Monday afternoon, most notably activating center Cody Whitehair from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Bears also added running back Lamar Miller and offensive lineman Eric Kush from the practice squad, signed defensive tackle Daniel McCullers from the practice squad, and promoted quarterback Tyler Bray from the practice squad as a COVID-19 replacement, per Larry Mayer of Chicagobears.com.

Whitehair was sidelined for the Bears game against the New Orleans Saints two weeks ago due to a calf injury suffered on Oct. 26 against the Los Angeles Rams. He then missed last Sunday’s loss against the Tennessee Titans after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier in the week.

Miller, now in his ninth NFL season, will make his Bears debut and see his first action since tearing his ACL in a preseason game with the Houston Texans in 2019. The former Pro-Bowl back spent the first half of the season the team’s practice squad and will fill in for an injured David Montgomery, who was ruled out after suffering a concussion in last week’s game.

Kush makes his Bears season debut as well, returning to Chicago for the first time since 2018. He spent three seasons with the Bears from 2016-18, but missed 2017 due to a torn hamstring injury. He started all 16 games for the Cleveland Browns in 2019, but he was released earlier this year. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders but did not play a snap after going on injured reserve.

McCullers saw his first action as a Bear last week, posting four total tackles. With defensive tackle John Jenkins out of the lineup for the second time this season. Bray, meanwhile, will serve as the Bears backup quarterback with Mitchell Trubisky still out with a shoulder injury.

The Bears and Vikings kickoff tonight at 7:15 pm CT.

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Chicago Bears sign OL Eric Kush to practice squad

The Bears added some much-needed depth at offensive line with the return of a familiar face in iOL Eric Kush to the practice squad.

The Chicago Bears added some much-needed depth at offensive line with the return of a familiar face.

The Bears have signed interior offensive lineman Eric Kush to the practice squad, the team announced on Tuesday. Kush previously played for Chicago back in 2016-18.

Kush has experience in Matt Nagy’s offense and can play either center or guard. Chicago has released Aaron Neary from the practice squad in conjunction with Kush’s addition.

The Bears have had major issues on the offensive line over the last few weeks, particularly when it comes to injuries. They lost left guard James Daniels a few weeks ago to a torn pectoral muscle, and right tackle Bobby Massie landed on injured reserve with a knee injury expected to sideline him at least a month.

But the Bears also dealt with a COVID-19 scare as center Cody Whitehair and reserve tackle Jason Spriggs both tested positive for the virus, which sidelined them last week. Back-up center Sam Mustipher also missed last Sunday’s game with a knee injury. Although Spriggs has since been activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Bears started Alex Bars at center and seventh-round rookie Arlington Hambright against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and they were encouraging in their first starts.

Still, Chicago’s struggles on the offensive line remain one of the biggest concerns on this team. It’s been evident in their run blocking — with the Bears the worst run game in the league — and in pass protection — with a statuesque Nick Foles.

The addition of Kush provides a little stability should Chicago’s offensive line struggles continue.

Bears sign DT Anthony Rush to active roster, QB Kyle Sloter to practice squad

Chicago added depth on the defensive line with the signing of DT Anthony Rush to the active roster.

Following news that defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, the Chicago Bears have added depth on the defensive line.

The Bears signed defensive tackle Anthony Rush to the active roster, the team announced Tuesday. Chicago also officially added quarterback Kyle Sloter to the practice squad.

The Bears defensive line took a blow with the loss of Robertson-Harris and John Jenkins being sidelined with an ankle injury. Rush was an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles last season, but he was waived July 27. In nine games with the Eagles and four games with the Seattle Seahawks, Rush notched 14 tackles, including three tackles-for-loss, two pass breakups and 0.5 sacks.

The addition of Sloter comes as insurance should back-up quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who suffered an injury to his right throwing shoulder, not be ready in time for Monday night’s game. Sloter, who had a workout with the Bears last week, has been impressive in preseason, posting an 11-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and averaging a 74% completion percentage and a 119.8 quarterback rating.

Bears promote five players from practice squad to the active roster

The Bears have added five players from the practice squad to the active roster in conjunction with injuries and the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Chicago Bears have activated five players from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of today’s game against the Tennessee Titans in conjunction with injuries and the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Bears promoted return specialist Dwayne Harris, quarterback Tyler Bray, offensive linemen Dieter Eiselen and Badara Traore and defensive lineman Daniel McCullers to the active roster, where they’ll be available for Chicago against the Titans.

With three players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, right tackle Bobby Massie on injured reserve and receiver Ted Ginn Jr. released, the Bears made corresponding moves.

Now that Ginn has been released, Harris becomes Chicago’s punt returner, a role he served in last week after being promoted from the practice squad to the active roster on game day with Ginn being a healthy scratch.

While back-up quarterback Mitchell Trubisky won’t require surgery on his right throwing shoulder — an injury suffered on a designed run in last week’s loss to the New Orleans Saints — Trubisky is out against the Titans, which means Bray will serve as Nick Foles’ back-up quarterback.

Chicago has had a plethora of issues with its offensive line, not based on performance this week. They lost Massie for a few weeks to a knee injury and back-up center Sam Mustipher for the week to a knee injury while center Cody Whitehair and reserve tackle Jason Spriggs were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Which is why Eiselen and Traore have joined the active roster this week.

The Bears will also be without defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris, who suffered a shoulder injury last week, which means McCullers will be available for depth should the Bears choose to activate him against the Titans.

The Chicago Bears have released WR Ted Ginn Jr.

In a move that’s not completely surprising, the Bears have parted ways with veteran wide receiver Teds Ginn Jr.

The Chicago Bears didn’t make a move before the trade deadline on Tuesday, but they are making a move following the deadline. And it’s a move that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

The Bears have parted ways with veteran wide receiver Teds Ginn Jr., according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Ginn signed with the Bears as a free agent this offseason, where his speed was thought to be a big asset. Although with the success of fifth-round rookie receiver Darnell Mooney, who has climbed his way to the top of the depth chart opposite Allen Robinson, Ginn’s role on offense declined with each passing week.

But when running back Tarik Cohen tore his ACL, Ginn had an opportunity to prove his worth on punt returns. That wasn’t to be, as Ginn was a healthy scratch for last Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints and newcomer Dwayne Harris took over punting duties, where he found success.

In six games, Ginn finishes his Bears career with three catches for 40 yards.

Bears sign WR/KR Dwayne Harris to practice squad

It sounds like we’re nearing the end of the Ted Ginn Jr. experience as the Bears have signed KR Dwayne Harris to the practice squad.

It sounds like we might see the end of the Ted Ginn Jr. experience.

The Chicago Bears announced that they’ve signed receiver and return specialist Dwayne Harris to the practice squad on Tuesday. They released defensive tackle Terry Beckner to make room for Harris.

In nine seasons, Harris has played for the Dallas Cowboys (2-11014), New York Giants (2015-17) and Las Vegas Raiders (2018-19), garnered nine starts in 106 NFL games.

Harris has served primarily as a return specialist, where he’s averaged 10.1 yards on 180 punts, including four touchdowns, as well as 25.8 yards on 163 kickoff returns with one touchdown.

Following Monday night’s brutal loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Bears are in dire need of a punt returner. Tarik Cohen’s loss on offense and special teams has loomed large for this team. While Ted Ginn Jr. has taken over as punt returner for the Bears, he hasn’t really done much other than stand back there and let the ball bounce within the 20-yard line. That was made apparent in Monday’s loss, where Ginn didn’t field a single one of the Rams’ five punts.

The hope is that Harris will become a reliable punt returner for the Bears down the line while the season is still salvagable.