Training Camp Injuries Force Bears to Sign Veteran Playmaker
It may not be the most high-profile part of the Chicago Bears' offensive facelift, but the team made some key changes at running back this offseason. After finishing with no running back hitting even 650 rushing yards in 2023 (and having Justin Fields lead the team in that measure), D'Andre Swift was signed to really shore up the unit.
The group went from a worrying one to an impressively deep one as training camp rolled around. Unfortunately, injuries always have a way to disrupt plans at this time of year, and the Bears have been forced to make a new roster move in the backfield.
Bears signed RB Demetric Felton today. Both Travis Homer and Ian Wheeler were banged up in practice yesterday so it will be interesting to see their status.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) July 28, 2024
To make room, the Bears were given an international roster exemption for punter Tory Taylor. He does not count against…
Bears News: Demetric Felton Signed, Travis Homer & Ian Wheeler Injured
Chicago bears running backs Travis Homer and Ian Wheeler both suffered training camp injuries over the weekend, leading to the Bears signing free agent running back Demetric Felton.
Homer and Wheeler weren't projected to play big roles in this offense, of course, but depth is especially important at running back, and getting banged up now isn't great for either one's shot at making the roster.
On the other side of the coin, this could be a blessing in disguise for the Bears. Felton may not have had a lot of success at running back in his NFL career so far, but he's a high-upside playmaker who might actually be able to crack the roster thanks to his versatility.
Felton played both wide receiver and running back at UCLA, and he attended the NFL Combine as a wide receiver. He since converted to a receiving running back role with the Cleveland Browns, catching 20 passes and tallying 8 rush attempts through 24 career games.
His real success came on special teams. In 2021 he was named to the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie team as a returner. He racked up 227 yards on 32 punt returns plus 172 on 9 kick returns that year.
So that leaves Felton with the ability to serve as a depth option at running back, wide receiver and both punt and kick returner (a role that promises to see a big jump in importance due to this year's rule changes). All for a guy on what we can only assume is a tiny contract with no guaranteed money.
Add in that he can likely be stashed on the practice squad if the Bears stay healthy, and this is really a terrific no-risk, high-reward signing. Well done (again), Ryan Poles.
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