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
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.
We have activated WR/PR DeAndre Carter from COVID-19 list, signed RB Spencer Ware to our PS and returned WR Thomas Ives to our PS from the COVID-19 list.@Hyundai | #DaBears
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.
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.
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.
