Bears’ 53-man roster breakdown: 2 big question marks could dampen Caleb Williams’ rookie season

Bears’ 53-man roster breakdown: 2 big question marks could dampen Caleb Williams’ rookie season originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

The first iteration of the Bears’ 2024 roster was finalized Tuesday on cut-down day across the NFL.

The Bears’ initial 53-man unit held few surprises.

Running back/wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. made the cut in what is likely his final chance in Chicago to prove he can be a reliable NFL player who contributes to winning football.

The Bears kept six defensive ends, including Dominique Robinson and Daniel Hardy. To keep that many pass rushers, the Bears had to terminate the contract of fullback Khari Blasingame. However, Blasingame is expected to be brought back once long-snapper Patrick Scales is placed on injured reserve. Scales has a back issue that is expected to keep him sidelined for over a month.

Backup long snapper Cameron Lyons was waived Tuesday, which means the Bears will likely hold tryouts at Halas Hall in the coming days. Once they find the proper fill-in for Scales, another member of the initial 53-man group will waived.

The 2024 Bears’ roster enters the season with increased expectations behind rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and an electric group of skill players that includes wide receivers DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze, running back D’Andre Swift, and tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett. Add in an ascending defense with one of the best back sevens in the NFL, and you have a recipe for a team that should contend for a playoff spot this fall.

However, two big roster holes remain as the Bears prepare to start a highly-anticipated season.

The offensive line has been banged up throughout camp. The Bears will enter Week 1 with a “best five” of Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Coleman Shelton, Nate Davis, and Darnell Wright. That group might look different if guard Ryan Bates was healthy, but a shoulder issue is expected to keep him out of the lineup for at least the first week of the season.

With Bates nursing an…

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Author : NBC Sports Chicago

Publish date : 2024-08-27 22:01:23

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