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Bears Make Stunning Roster Move Just Before Week 8 Commanders Showdown

The Bears opened up roster space for players returning from IR by cutting two players.

By Joseph Grassano

Aug 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) runs onto the field against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Aug 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (12) runs onto the field against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images / Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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The Chicago Bears cut fullback Khari Blasingame and wide receiver/punt returner Velus Jones Jr. ahead of Week 8 per The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain.

These cuts put an end to the Velus Jones experiment. Jones was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft to help the Bears' receiving corps. Unfortunately, his career in Chicago will be remembered for his continuous drop issues and miscues in the return game.

Seemingly, the last straw for Jones was his muffed kickoff in Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans this season. Since then, the 27-year-old has been a healthy scratch every week, even after making a successful switch to running back in the offseason.

While many have wanted to see Jones cut since his rookie season, his exit from the team does leave a missed opportunity. Earlier this summer on Hard Knocks, teams were calling about a potential trade for Jones Jr., but general manager Ryan Poles said he wouldn't give him up for anything less than a fourth-round pick. In hindsight, any compensation for Jones would have been better than this outcome.

As for Blasingame, he played in Week 1 against the Titans and then suffered an injury during practice the next week. Blasingame was declared out for Week 2 and Week 3. After that, he was a healthy scratch since offensive coordinator Shane Waldron doesn't utilize fullbacks all that much.

The writing was clearly on the wall for Blasingame, which makes his cut less shocking. These cuts open up enough roster space for two players to be activated off the injured reserve. Currently, Jacob Martin (DE), Travis Homes (RB/ST) and Larry Borom (OT) can all be activated.

This could signal another trade or a cut to open up room for the third player to come back.

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