Tag: byron pringle

Browns free agency: What options make sense at wide receiver?

Are there answers to the position in free agency?

There have been limitations for the offense of the Cleveland Browns for several years with their lack of ability to stretch a defense vertically consistently. The free agent class at the position isn’t a deep one or good overall, especially for the type of player the Browns need (and Josh Gordon isn’t leaving the XFL to come back in the doors anytime soon). They have got to find someone that can do what they drafted Anthony Schwartz to do which he hasn’t been able to accomplish.

However, there are a few cost-effective options for the team that come with some risk but also plenty of reward chances. Overall the Browns should look to fill their need in the draft as the free agent class is weak. Let’s take a look at three players that could make sense for the Browns next month.

Bears 2023 offseason preview: Where does Chicago stand at wide receiver?

Our offseason position previews continue with WRs, a group that was bolstered during the 2022 season but still needs a difference maker.

The 2023 offseason is officially in full swing, and the Chicago Bears are gearing up for what should be one of the busiest springs in recent memory.

Armed with $98.6 million in cap space, general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus will have plenty of opportunities to improve the team roster in free agency, while also needing to make key decisions on which players they should let walk.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2023 offseason. Next up is wide receiver, a position that was bolstered during the 2022 season, but one that could use another difference maker.

Bears 2022 WR review: New faces fail to make a difference

Our next Bears position review focuses on the wide receivers, a group that featured many new players who disappointed as a whole.

The Chicago Bears wrapped the 2022 season with a 3-14 record, which culminated in a 10-game losing streak. But there’s still reasons to be optimistic about the future, including a boatload of salary cap space, the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft and the emergence of quarterback Justin Fields.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position through the 2022 Bears and grading every player. After looking at quarterbacks and running backs, we’re staying on offense with the wide receivers, a group that featured many new faces but disappointed as a whole in 2022.

Dante Pettis is the latest Bears WR to be dealing with an injury

A thin wide receiver corps just took another hit as Dante Pettis tweaked his ankle during Wednesday’s practice.

The last month has not been kind to Chicago Bears wide receivers. Since late November, they have been without Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, Equanimeous St. Brown, and N’Keal Harry for an extended period of time. Now, Dante Pettis is the latest player to pop up on the injury report.

According to Dan Wiederer of The Chicago Tribune, Pettis suffered an ankle injury during Wednesday’s practice. Although he was listed as a limited participant, his status could be in doubt this weekend when the Bears face the Detroit Lions.

Claypool and St. Brown did not practice yet again and could be in danger of missing another game in a row and Mooney has been out for the season due to a broken ankle suffered in late November against the New York Jets. If Pettis were to miss, the top Bears receivers would be Harry, Byron Pringle, and Velus Jones Jr.

Pettis, the former 2018 second-round pick, has been the team’s third or fourth receiving option all season long. Playing in all 15 games, Pettis has 17 catches for 226 yards and three touchdowns, the most of any Bears wide receiver this season. He’s also the team’s primary punt returner, averaging 9.7 yards per return this season.

More information will be available following Thursday’s injury report but it’s possible the Bears are down yet another player in the passing game for Justin Fields.

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Bears activate WR Byron Pringle from IR

Byron Pringle returns to the Bears after missing the last six weeks with a calf injury.

Reinforcements are on the way for the Chicago Bears receiving corps. The team announced they have activated wide receiver Byron Pringle from injured reserve ahead of their matchup with the Detroit Lions.

Pringle has missed the last six weeks after injuring his calf during the team’s Week 3 victory over the Houston Texans. The former Kansas City Chief has three catches for 33 yards in his first season with the Bears. He rejoins a suddenly crowded receiving room that features Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, Equanimeous St. Brown, Dante Pettis, and Velus Jones Jr.

In addition to Pringle, the Bears also announced they have elevated defensive end Gerri Green and cornerback Harrison Hand from the practice squad. With injuries to defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad and cornerback Kindle Vildor, the Bears will look to Green and Hand to fill in, respectively.

Matching Chicago Bears with Taylor Swift songs from Midnights

That’s right, we took each song from Taylor Swift’s new album, Midnights, and matched it with a member of the Bears.

We’re about at the halfway point of the 2022 NFL season and it’s been a long couple months for the Chicago Bears.

There have been the highs like the Week 1 shocking victory over the San Francisco 49ers, the dominating win against the New England Patriots, as well as Justin Fields’ emergence and the elite rushing attack.

There have also been low moments, such as the blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys, offensive line issues, defensive breakdowns, and even heartbreaking trades. It’s been so dramatic, Taylor Swift might as well write an album about it.

The superstar singer obviously isn’t going to do that, but she did recently release her latest album Midnights that has millions of people still obsessed with the music, storylines, and meaning of the songs. So why not put our own twist on it and see if we can match them up with the Bears?

That’s right, we took each song from Swift’s latest album and matched it up with a player or front office member based on the title and lyrics because actual football analysis can wait a day.

Just make sure you suspend your disbelief. After all, Swift’s songs are all basically focused on her dating life and don’t really delve into football. But let’s begin in chronological order.

Bears WR Byron Pringle designated to return from IR

Bears WR Byron Pringle was back at practice on Wednesday, opening a 21-day window for him to return from IR.

The Chicago Bears have designated wide receiver Byron Pringle to return from injured reserve, the team announced.

Pringle returned to practice on Wednesday, opening a 21-day window for him to return from IR.

Pringle suffered a calf injury in a Week 3 win against the Houston Texans, and he’s missed the last four games. He’s eligible to return this week, so it’s encouraging that Chicago opened his window.

The Bears signed Pringle to a one-year deal worth $4.13 million this offseason with the hope he could be a weapon in the passing game. That hasn’t necessarily been the case, as Pringle has two catches for 33 yards in three games.

Chicago’s passing game has been underwhelming this season, and Darnell Mooney leads the way for receivers with 20 catches for 290 yards through seven games. The Bears recently activated N’Keal Harry from IR, where he made his debut in Monday’s win against the New England Patriots.

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Bears place WR Byron Pringle on IR, sign LB Joe Thomas off practice squad

The Bears placed Byron Pringle on IR, which means he’ll have to miss a minimum of 4 games. They’ve signed Joe Thomas off the practice squad.

The Chicago Bears have placed receiver Byron Pringle on injured reserve, the team announced Tuesday.

Pringle suffered a calf injury in Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans. He had one reception for 11 yards before exiting in the first half. Through three games, Pringle has two catches for 33 yards.

With Pringle landing on IR, he’ll be required to miss a minimum of four games, which would make him eligible to return in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Bears signed linebacker Joe Thomas to the active roster in a corresponding roster move. Thomas was on the practice squad and elevated to the active roster for last week’s game against the Texans, where he totaled five tackles.

With Matt Adams sidelined with a hamstring injury, Thomas provides stability at strong-side linebacker.

Something that’s worth monitoring heading into the coming weeks is the status of receiver N’Keal Harry, who was placed on IR to start the season. Harry suffered a significant ankle sprain back in training camp that required surgery. Harry is eligible to return in Week 5 against the Vikings.

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Bear Necessities: Players understand importance of Bears-Packers rivalry

Before the Bears and Packers square off in prime time, Chicago players are reflecting on the importance of getting a win in this rivalry.

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The Chicago Bears (1-0) and Green Bay Packers (0-1) will battle on prime time for the 17th straight season, where Chicago is looking to reverse their misfortunes in what’s been a one-sided rivalry.

“It means a lot,” said quarterback Justin Fields. “I want to win every game I play. But it’s the tradition of this rivalry. Means a lot to us as a team, to the fan base, to the people upstairs. It just means a lot to everyone in this building.”

Don’t just ask Fields. Take it from someone who grew up as a Bears fan in this rivalry.

“I’m from here. This is a big deal for me,” said tight end Cole Kmet. “To play in this game is just an honor in itself. This game means a lot to me. As a kid growing up and rooting for this team, this game means a lot to a lot of people.”

The Bears have lost 20 of the last 23 regular-season meetings, and they haven’t won since 2018. Safe to say, Chicago would love to start the Matt Eberflus era with an upset over the Packers.

“[I’m] just more so focused on the future and this game here because that’s all that matters,” said linebacker Roquan Smith. “This game here matters more than any other game we’ve played against those guys because it’s the next one. So that’s where my mindset is, and I really don’t care about the past. [We] just got to go out and stick it to them this week.”

There’s certainly no love lost between the Bears and Packers fanbases, or the players, which is why these games always carry a little extra weight.

“They don’t like us, and we don’t like them,” said wide receiver Byron Pringle, a newcomer. “We already know what type of game it’s going to be.”

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Justin Fields on the Bears-Packers rivalry: ‘It means a lot to us’

You don’t need to tell Justin Fields about the importance of the Bears-Packers rivalry, & most importantly, flipping it in Chicago’s favor.

Bears fans don’t need to be reminded about how one-sided the rivalry with the Packers has been over the last couple of decades. Chicago has lost 20 of the last 23 regular-season meetings — and they haven’t won since 2018 — which has always made those games twice a year miserable for Bears fans.

You also don’t need to tell quarterback Justin Fields about the importance of this rivalry, and most importantly, flipping it back in favor of Chicago.

“It means a lot,” Fields said. “I want to win every game I play. But it’s the tradition of this rivalry. Means a lot to us as a team, to the fan base, to the people upstairs. It just means a lot to everyone in this building.”

Fields’ teammate Byron Pringle put it in terms that Bears fans can certainly appreciate.

“We know they don’t like us and we don’t like them,” Pringle said. “So, we already know what type of game it’s going to be.”

Last season, Fields vowed to get the rivalry back on the Bears’ side, sooner rather than later.

“Just know it will be back on our side very soon,” he told 670 the Score’s Parkins & Spiegel last November. “Sooner than later for sure.”

Fields is currently 0-2 against the Packers and looking to finally turn the tide in the rivalry. Could this Week 2 matchup be that moment? Guess we’ll have to see when the Bears face the Packers Sunday night on NBC.

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