The Chicago Bears have downgraded one of their injured veterans in a series of last-minute roster moves for their playoff game with the Green Bay Packers.
According to the team’s injury report, the Bears downgraded former starting left tackle Braxton Jones — whom they had designated to return from injured reserve this week — from questionable to out for their wild-card kickoff against the Packers at 8 p.m. ET.
Jones landed on IR with a knee injury on October 25 and had only just returned to the practice field for the Bears this week, but he fully participated in all three practices for the week, which suggested there was a good chance the team could re-activate him.
Instead, Jones will have to wait until next week — if the Bears advance to the divisional round — for his next opportunity to earn activation back to the Bears’ 53-man roster.
The Bears have also ruled out safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (concussion), linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (concussion) and edge rusher Jon Tryon-Shoyinka (concussion) for their wild-card matchup with the Packers, which will kick off at 8 p.m. ET tonight.
Bears Also Activate Kyler Gordon Among Roster Moves
While the Bears’ non-action with Jones is more of a roster move delayed than made, the team also made several other moves in their final window before the wild-card game.
According to the team’s transaction wire, the Bears activated star slot cornerback Kyler Gordon from the injured reserve list to the 53-man roster, replenishing their secondary with one of its top defenders after spending the majority of the season without him.
He upgraded to full participation in the Bears’ final practice of the week, but they may still hold him to a snap count against the Packers to avoid a re-injury with his groin.
Additionally, the Bears elevated tight end Nikola Kalinic and veteran linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin — a former All-Pro special teams contributor for the Detroit Lions — to their game-day roster against the Packers to supply reinforcements. The team is likely eyeing both players to contribute on special teams, especially with Ogbongbemiga out.
Packers Also Make WR Roster Move Ahead of Kickoff
The Bears snuck in some final roster moves before the window closed at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 10, but the Packers also called up help from their practice squad.
The Packers officially elevated undrafted rookie wide receiver Isaiah Neyor from the practice squad to the game-day roster against the Bears, promoting him to help with depth at the position after Dontayvion Wicks could not clear the concussion protocol.
Injuries have carved into the Packers’ receiving depth in recent weeks, forcing them to place both third-round rookie Savion Williams and Bo Melton on injured reserve. With Wicks also out for the first round of the playoffs, they are down to first-round rookie Matthew Golden and two UDFAs, including Neyor, as their only non-starting receivers.
The Bears must still contend with the Packers’ formidable starting wide receiver trio of Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson and Jayden Reed in their wild-card matchup, but the depleted ranks behind them could work to Chicago’s benefit, if more injuries pop up.
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