Bears’ roster still work in progress
Expect Pace to seek help at WR, DL, OLB with 3rd position in waiver order
The Bears trimmed 35 players off their active roster Saturday.
It’d be shocking if they didn’t add at least three more to that list Sunday to make room for waiver additions on perhaps the busiest claim day in modern NFL history.
The Bears’ roster, as currently constructed, makes little sense. They’re carrying five tight ends, a fullback and only two healthy receivers who aren’t better- known for their special- teams prowess.
It looks strange because it’s in mid- construction. General manger Ryan Pace knows the Bears need help at critical positions — wide receiver, defensive line and outside linebacker — and will shop from a position of strength.
The Bears have the third waiver position based on their finish last season. They’re the highest team that plays a 3- 4 defense, meaning they’ll have the first chance at body types that fit their defensiveend position. Jaye Howard, who entered camp as the favorite to fill a starting job while he recovered from hip surgery, had his contract terminated.
The Bears also will have first dibs on edge rushers deemed too small to play a 4- 3 end. They gained one outside linebacker when Pernell McPhee was activated from the physically unableto- perform list 36 days after he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
Perhaps the team’s most passionate — and the defense’s most expensive — player, McPhee hasn’t practiced with the team. Still, the Bears believe he’ll be able to help sooner than six weeks, which he would have had to miss had he stayed on PUP.
The Bears put Lamarr Houston, another outside linebacker who was once their priciest freeagent signing, on injured reserve after he hurt his knee in the preseason finale. He could reach an injury settlement, ending his Bears career.
Look for Pace to focus on finding a receiver. Despite losing Cam Meredith because of a season- ending knee injury, Pace decided to waive preseason standout Tanner Gentry, though the Bears hope he clears waivers and returns to their practice squad.
The Bears could use his youth. They’re carrying only four drafted rookies after putting guard Jordan Morgan on IR with a shoulder injury. They waived two 2016 draftees, receiver Daniel Braverman and safety DeAndre Houston- Carson.
Pace kept receivers Kevin White, Kendall Wright and Markus Wheaton, who hasn’t practiced in full since July 30 because of appendix and pinkie surgeries. The two other receivers on the roster are special- teams standouts Josh Bellamy and Deonte Thompson.
To make room for another receiver, the Bears could trim a tight end from their list of five — either Daniel Brown or Ben Braunecker, who were kept — or fullback Michael Burton.
Kicker Roberto Aguayo was perhaps the team’s best- known and least surprising cut. The Bears are on the hook for $ 428,000 if no one claims the inaccurate secondround pick.
And two days after Fox gave a tepid endorsement of his chances to make the team, quarterback Mark Sanchez was included on a 53- man roster that’s nowhere close to finished.
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