Texans waive S Grayland Arnold among Week 9 transactions

The Houston Texans have waived safety Grayland Arnold as part of their roster moves ahead of Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Houston Texans tinkered with their secondary ahead of their Week 9 encounter with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time at NRG Stadium.

Houston waived safety Grayland Arnold. The former Baylor product generated 18 combined tackles, a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble through seven games for the Texans. Grayland played 143 defensive snaps for the Texans along with 110 special teams snaps.

The Texans signed cornerback signed cornerback D’Angelo Ross from the practice squad to the active roster. Ross has played three games for Houston and logged three tackles.

As part of Houston’s standard elevations from the practice squad, the Texans are sending up guard Dieter Eiselen.

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6 most surprising cuts from Bears’ 53-man roster

The Bears assembled their 53-man roster, cutting many players in the process. Here are the six most surprising cuts.

Week 1 of the regular season is just around the corner, and excitement is hitting a fever pitch. The Chicago Bears will face the loathsome Green Bay Packers to kick off the season, and fans are more than ready to turn the page on the preseason and get ready for a long year of Chicago football.

Before the festivities begin, however, the Bears had to make some tough decisions to whittle down the roster to the NFL’s mandated 53 players. While the vast majority of players Chicago waived didn’t make too many headlines, the team did make a couple of surprise cuts.

From standout rookies to shocking releases that continue to strangle an already weak position, here are the team’s six most surprising cuts.

Updated Bears’ offensive line depth after Dieter Eiselen re-signing

The Bears are re-signing Dieter Eiselen. Here’s a look at Chicago’s offensive line depth, where there’s plenty of work to be done.

The Chicago Bears are re-signing offensive lineman Dieter Eiselen, who was slated to become an exclusive rights free agent in March.

The Bears signed Eiselen as an undrafted free agent in 2020, where he served primarily on the practice squad for his first two seasons. Eiselen appeared in three games during his first two years, exclusively on special teams.

Eiselen’s role expanded in 2022, where he finally saw action on offense. He served in a reserve role both at left and right guard, playing 63 combined offensive snaps between Weeks 8, 16 and 17. Eiselen appeared in 11 games.

With Eiselen being re-signed, here’s a look at the Bears’ updated offensive line depth, where it’s clear there’s plenty of work to be done this offseason:

Bears re-sign ERFA Dieter Eiselen

Bears OL Dieter Eiselen was slated to become an exclusive rights free agent.

The Chicago Bears have re-signed offensive lineman Dieter Eiselen, according to his sports agency, JL Sports.

Eiselen was slated to become an exclusive rights free agent in March, an indication that he was almost guaranteed to return if the Bears offered him a one-year deal at the league minimum.

The Bears signed Eiselen as an undrafted free agent in 2020, where he served primarily on the practice squad for his first two seasons. Eiselen appeared in three games during his first two years, exclusively on special teams.

Eiselen’s role expanded in 2022, where he finally saw action on offense. He served in a reserve role both at left and right guard, playing 63 combined offensive snaps between Weeks 8, 16 and 17. Eiselen appeared in 11 games.

The offensive line will be a focal point for general manager Ryan Poles this offseason, where all starting jobs are seemingly up for grabs. There are needs across the table at tackle, guard and center.

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Bears flex RB Artavis Pierce, OL Dieter Eiselen to active roster for Week 6

The Bears have flexed RB Artavis Pierce and OL Dieter Eiselen from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game vs. Packers.

The Chicago Bears have elevated running back Artavis Pierce and offensive lineman Dieter Eiselen to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

Teams are permitted to flex two practice squad players to the active roster prior to 3 p.m. CT the day before a game, bringing the game-day roster total to 55 players.

With David Montgomery on injured reserve and Damien Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list, it’s not a surprise to see Pierce elevated to the active roster. That gives Chicago rookie Khalil Herbert, who will get a bulk of reps, Ryan Nall and Pierce for their running backs against Green Bay.

With right tackle Germain Ifedi on injured reserve with a knee injury, it’ll be Elijah Wilkinson getting the nod in his absence. Eiselen provides added depth on the offensive line.

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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.

9 Bears players in danger of being cut ahead of training camp

Let’s take a look at nine Bears players that are unlikely to survive those pre-training camp cuts ahead of Tuesday’s report date.

There have been a number of obstacles that the Chicago Bears have had to deal with during this unconventional offseason amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether that’s an entirely virtual offseason or absence of a preseason, which is a blow to late-round draft picks, undrafted free agents and other players looking to make an NFL roster.

As that wasn’t a big blow, NFLPA leadership informed players that rosters will be trimmed from 90 to 80 to start training camp. Which means the Bears need to cut 10 players by next Tuesday.

Chicago already parted ways with tight end Ben Braunecker on Thursday. Now they need to cut nine players ahead of Tuesday.

Let’s take a look at nine players that are in danger of being released by the Bears ahead of training camp.

S Kentrell Brice

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

With a crop of veteran safeties ahead of him, Kentrell Brice faces an uphill battle to lock down a roster spot. Eddie Jackson and Tashaun Gipson will likely be the starting safeties, with returning Bears Deon Bush and DeAndre Houston Carson serving as depth. And Brice, who was undrafted out of Louisiana Tech, might not make it to training camp given guys like free-agent addition Jordan Lucas and Sherrick McManis, both who bring more as special teams contributors.

Bears 2020 training camp preview: Offensive line

The Bears return four of five starters on their offensive line heading into 2020. Let’s take a look at the unit heading into training camp.

The Chicago Bears will report to training camp on July 28 and one unit to keep an eye on is the offensive lineman. This offseason the Bears didn’t heavily invest into their offensive line that was ranked 29th in run blocking and 21st in pass protection.

The Bears also saw their long time offensive guard Kyle Long retire this offseason and looked into bottom tier free agents and late 2020 draft picks do fill some void and bring competition.

Let’s take a look at the offensive line heading into training camp.

Cody Whitehair

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

After switching from center to left guard before the start of the 2019 season, Whitehair saw himself playing center in the second half of the season. Entering his fifth year, Whitehair is confident that he’ll be playing center for the 2020 season, where he feels comfortable.

In 2018 Whitehair was very comfortable in playing center as he earned his only Pro Bowl selection so far through his career.

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