Tag: Thomas Graham Jr.

Bears CB Thomas Graham Jr. aiming for quick return to active roster

Thomas Graham doesn’t expect to be on the Bears practice squad for long: “This isn’t a long term thing in my head, it’s a short term thing.”

Bears cornerback Thomas Graham was one of the surprise cuts earlier this week. But unfortunately, Graham was battling a hamstring injury that held him out of training camp and the preseason, which hurt his chances of making the roster.

Chicago re-signed Graham to the practice squad after he cleared waivers. But Graham is aiming for a quick return to the active roster once he’s 100 percent.

“This isn’t a long term thing in my head, it’s a short term thing,” Graham said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “Just get fully healthy and then let them see what they’ve already seen before.”

Graham saw limited action in his rookie season. He spent most of the year on the practice squad and finally got his chance on the active roster when the entire starting secondary was out with COVID.

He made the most of his first NFL start in Week 14 against the Vikings, where he totaled seven tackles and three pass breakups in his debut. Graham was immediately signed to the active roster the next day.

Graham certainly appeared to be in contention for a starting job this offseason, and he saw time with the first-team defense in the slot during the spring.

“I was running with the 1s all OTAs, being the 1 nickel,” he said. “They gave me a shot after a hard last year.”

Where things currently stand, rookie Kyler Gordon is expected to get plenty of looks at nickel cornerback, but he has experience playing both in the slot and outside. Graham has experience playing both positions, as well. And the hope is he can play his way into a contributing role moving forward.

“Just hope once I show them that I’m healthy, they kinda see what they’ve already seen before,” Graham said, “and go back to the position I was already at.”

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Every NFL team’s most surprising roster cut

Highlighting the most shocking roster cut for each NFL team.

With the preseason in the books, every NFL team has now trimmed their roster to the league–mandated 53 players. While these rosters will certainly undergo changes over the next couple of days, each team has their initial 53-man rosters set.

But when going from 80 to 53 players, there are some tough calls NFL general managers have to make in the process. And there were certainly some shocking moves across the league during the final roster cuts, which should make for some interesting moves on the waiver wire.

We’ve rounded up our NFL Wires editors to highlight the most surprising roster cut from every NFL team.

Winners and losers from Bears training camp

Here are our winners and losers following Bears training camp.

There are plenty of signs that show we’re in the final days of summer. Kids are going back to school, pumpkin spice drinks are becoming readily available, and training camp for the Chicago Bears has officially concluded.

The Bears wrapped up their training camp last weekend, marking the end of nearly a month of practices in front of fans at Halas Hall that also included two preseason games. Over 90 players were with the team at the start of camp and now after two rounds of cuts, that number shrunk to 80, with more hard decisions still on the way.

Aside from a couple of issues that were dragged out off the field, there haven’t been nearly any earth-shattering developments on it. Still, it’s been clear as to who came out a winner during camp and who might be on the opposite end. Here are our winners and losers following Bears training camp.

Position battle updates following first week of Bears training camp

Following the first seven practices of training camp, we’re taking a look at how some of the Bears’ top position battles are shaking out.

The Chicago Bears have wrapped their first full week of training camp with seven practices, including two with pads, in the books.

There’s been plenty of competition at multiple positions on the roster, including some shake-ups along the offensive line and at cornerback, as well as some interesting names emerging at wide receiver.

There are no shortage of roster battles we’ve been monitoring at the start of the summer, and there have been some interesting developments through the first portion of camp.

Following the first seven practices of training camp, we’re taking a look at how some of the Bears’ top position battles are shaking out.

5 bold predictions for Bears 2022 training camp

From position battles to trade requests, here are our bold predictions ahead of Bears training camp 2022.

We’re now just hours away from Chicago Bears training camp officially getting underway as all players are scheduled to report to Halas Hall beginning on Tuesday.

For a team that’s under new leadership from the top down, there’s a lot that can happen when practices begin later in the week. Position battles will ramp up, preseason darlings will emerge, key veterans will be in danger of being cut, and perhaps even a trade takes place. Here are our bold predictions ahead of Bears training camp 2022.

5 sleepers to watch on defense in Bears training camp

As the Bears head into training camp, let’s take a look at some sleepers on defense you should keep an eye out for this summer.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of training camp next week, which will feature no shortage of storylines. There will be plenty of competition for starting jobs and roster spots.

All eyes will be on some of Chicago’s big-name stars, including Justin Fields and Roquan Smith. But each year, there are a few players for the Bears who fly under the radar and can become household names in training camp.

As the Bears head into training camp, let’s take a look at some sleepers on the defensive side of the ball you may want to keep an eye out for this summer.

7 Bears with the most to gain during training camp

Let’s take a look at those Bears players with the most to gain during training camp.

We’re just over a week away from the start of Chicago Bears training camp, and there are plenty of storylines to watch. Coming off a disappointing 6-11 season that saw the introduction of a new regime, there’s plenty of change.

There are plenty of players with something to gain, whether it’s players looking to take a step forward or battling for the starting job. There’s a lot on the line for these guys, and a strong camp could do them wonders.

Let’s take a look at seven Bears players with the most to gain during training camp.

Bears 2022 training camp preview: Cornerbacks

The Bears cornerback room was arguably the weakest position on the team in 2021. Now with new faces, they could be vastly improved in 2022.

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.

The Bears cornerback room was arguably the weakest position group on the team in 2021. Aside from Jaylon Johnson, no other player was reliable and they were exposed often. It was a key focal point in free agency and the NFL Draft this offseason for general manager Ryan Poles. Now with new faces, the group could be vastly improved in 2022.

Here is our preview of the team’s cornerbacks.

10 under-the-radar Bears players to watch during training camp

While all eyes will be on some of the bigger names on the Bears roster, here are some under-the-radar players to watch in training camp.

The Chicago Bears kick off training camp in a couple of weeks, where there will be plenty of players fighting for a roster spot and looking to contribute in 2022.

There will no doubt be the big names everyone will be watching — including Justin Fields, David Montgomery, Darnell Mooney, Roquan Smith and Jaylon Johnson. Even top rookie selections Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker and Velus Jones Jr.

But there are a handful of players who also bear watching when Chicago kicks off camp — those players who will be competing for a roster spot and/or starting job.

While all eyes will be on some of the bigger names, here’s a list of some under-the-radar players to watch during training camp.

One player to watch at each defensive position group ahead of camp

Keep an eye out for these defensive players for the Chicago Bears as training camp rapidly approaches.

We’re less than three weeks away from the start of training camp for the Chicago Bears and it will be the first for head coach Matt Eberflus. The former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator is tasked with not only turning the team around, but improving a defense that fell off in 2021 and is undergoing a massive transition this year.

Former mainstays and the 3-4 scheme have all been moved out this offseason. Coming in are younger veterans and impressive rookies to play with holdovers such as Roquan Smith and Jaylon Johnson, hoping to thrive in a 4-3 defense.

Naturally, much of the focus will be on the offensive side of the ball but the defense could be a huge surprise this season, in part due to these individuals you should keep your eye on as camp approaches.