Falcons designate DL LaCale London to return from the injured reserve list, opening 21-day practice window
The Atlanta Falcons have designated defensive lineman LaCale London to return from the injured reserve list, opening up his 21-day practice window, the team announced on Tuesday afternoon.
London was originally placed on the injured reserve list on November 1, just a week after being signed to the 53-man roster. The Falcons signed defensive lineman Travis Bell off the Bears’ practice squad as a replacement, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens when London officially returns to the roster.
Check out the team’s updated depth chart heading into Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With Eddie Goldman’s impending release, here’s a look at where the Bears interior defensive line depth stands.
It’s been a busy couple of days for the Chicago Bears, where general manager Ryan Poles has made some tough but necessary decisions on the roster.
The Bears traded pass rusher Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers for a 2022 second-round pick, a 2023 sixth-round selection and taking on the remainder of his contract. They followed that up with the release of running back Tarik Cohen, who’s yet to pass a physical. But they didn’t stop there.
Chicago is releasing defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, who was slated to have a $11.8 million salary cap hit in 2022. It’s a move that wasn’t a surprise given his cap hit and the switch to a 4-3 scheme.
But where does that leave the Bears with the interior defensive line? Not only is Goldman gone, but Akiem Hicks and Bilal Nichols are headed to free agency.
With Goldman moving on, here is how the interior defensive line depth chart is shaking out prior to free agency officially getting underway:
It’s time to dive in and preview the Bears’ defensive linemen heading into training camp.
Chicago Bears training camp is less than a month away, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.
We’ve covered the entire offense, looking at quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and offensive line. Now it’s time to turn our attention to the defensive side of the ball, beginning with the guys in the trenches; the defensive line.
This position group had some stellar play from its starters such as defensive ends Akiem Hicks and Bilal Nichols, while also getting production from a few key reserves like Mario Edwards Jr. But there was one noticeable absence throughout the entire season that created a figurative (and sometimes literal) hole in the middle of the line with nose tackle Eddie Goldman opting out of the season due to concerns surround the COVID-19 virus.
Will Goldman, Hicks, and Nichols be ready to go when camp arrives? Who might be this year’s unsung hero on the line? It’s time to dive in and preview the Bears’ defensive linemen heading into training camp.
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.
The #Bears have signed the following players to Reserve/Future contracts:
WR, Rodney Adams DB, Marqui Christian DB, Xavier Crawford OL, Dieter Eiselen TE, Jesper Horsted WR, Thomas Ives DT, LaCale London LB, Ledarius Mack DB, Teez Tabor OL, Badara Traore
We finally learned the identity of that fourth player — someone not on the practice squad, unlike the other three. The Bears have officially placed punt returner and receiver DeAndre Carter on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Thursday.
We have placed punt returner/receiver DeAndre Carter on the reserve/COVID-19 list.@Hyundai | #DaBears
“Obviously we’re not exempt from this pandemic,” head coach Matt Nagy said. “We all know that cases are on the rise. And I just want to credit our players and coaches for adapting and staying flexible. It’s not easy. But we have the right mindset.”
Carter was claimed by the Bears off waivers from the Texans back on Nov. 18. He’s since appeared in two games, where he’s returned one punt for five yards.
Chicago had already placed three practice squad players on the reserve/COVID-19 list — inside linebacker Manti Te’o, defensive lineman LaCale London and receiver Thomas Ives.
Like many teams this season, the Chicago Bears have had some COVID-19 scares on their team, which unfortunately has continued.
Like many teams this season, the Chicago Bears have had some COVID-19 scares on their team. Unfortunately, that continues.
Chicago has placed practice squad players defensive tackle LaCale London and linebacker Manti Te’o on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Monday.
#Bears roster moves: We have placed practice squad players DT LaCale London and LB Manti Te'o on Reserve/COVID-19.
The good news is London and Te’o have had minimal contact with those players on the active roster. It also helps that Halas Hall is closed Monday and Tuesday.
This isn’t the first time Chicago has dealt with a COVID-19 scare this season. Aside from practice squad offensive lineman Badara Traore testing positive earlier this season, the virus later found its way on the active roster. Offensive linemen Cody Whitehair, Jason Spriggs and Germain Ifedi all found themselves on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Week 9.
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.
