Urlacher 1 of 11 1st- time nominees for Pro Hall
Ex- Bear Brian Urlacher took the first step toward the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday, when he was named one of 108 nominees— and 11 first- timers— for the upcoming class. The list will be whittled to 25 semifinalists in November and 15 finalists in January, and those elected will be announced the night before the Super Bowl.
Gentry gets promoted
The Bears put wide receiver Kevin White on injured reserve with a broken shoulder blade and promoted Tanner Gentry, one of their training- camp stars.
An undrafted rookie from Wyoming, Gentry had four catches for 77 yards, including a 45- yard touchdown connection from Mitch Trubisky, with whom he developed good chemistry, in the exhibition season.
Gentry was cut before the start of the regular season but cleared waivers and returned to the Bears’ practice squad. He’s not promised a spot on the active roster Sunday, but his knowledge of the playbook might give him an edge over Tre McBride, the former Titans receiver the Bears claimed Sept. 3.
The Bears added a new receiver to the practice squad, but he doesn’t figure to help with their pass- catching problem. Mario Alford, a former West Virginia teammate of White’s, is a 5- 8, 180- pound returner who could help patch the loss of Benny Cunningham to a high ankle sprain. The Bears might not want to risk wide receiver Deonte Thompson or running back Tarik Cohen getting hurt on returns, given their dearth of playmakers.
Freeman to IR
Inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman’s pectoral injury is as bad as the Bears feared, and he was put on injured reserve.
Like White, Freeman must wait at least eight weeks before he can return to game action. There’s no guarantee that will be an option. Sources said Freeman, one of the team’s two defensive captains, and the Bears are unsure if he’ll be able to play again this season.
Freeman’s injury is a significant blow to the front seven, which the Bears have long declared the strength of the team. Freeman started 12 games last year— he was suspended for four because of a performance- enhancing drug violation— and 57 of 64 in four years with the Colts.
Nick Kwiatkoski will take Freeman’s place alongside Danny Trevathan. Jonathan Anderson was promoted from the practice squad to back up Kwiatkoski, who’s in his second season.
Bucs game on
The Buccaneers confirmed early Tuesday that they would host the Bears on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. The team consulted with the NFL and the Tampa Sports Authority in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
This and that
The Bears signed rookie running back Joshua Rounds to the practice squad.
Wide receiver Rueben Randle was released from injured reserve.