Downgrading quarterback Mitch Trubisky to doubtful opened up the possibilities of the Chicago Bears making a roster move to ensure they would have a healthy backup quarterback available for Thursday’s game against the Detroit Lions.
And now, we know what that move officially is:
#Bears roster moves:
We have released DB Marcus Cooper Sr. and have signed QB Tyler Bray to the active roster from the practice squad. Not traveling to Detroit are TE Adam Shaheen and LB Aaron Lynch.— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) November 21, 2018
The team signed quarterback Tyler Bray from their practice squad and added him to the active roster. That move essentially signifies that Trubisky will sit out the Thanksgiving clash of division rivals, which also means Bray will go from practice squad to being one snap away from taking meaningful game snaps under center. If you think that’s nerve-wracking as a fan, imagine how Bray must feel.
To make room for Bray on the roster, the Bears released cornerback Marcus Cooper Sr., who has played in just two of the Bears’ 10 games this season.
Cooper re-joined the team on a more cost-effective deal after being released earlier in the offseason. If you’ll recall, Cooper was a relatively big-ticket addition in the Bears’ failed attempt to improve the team via free agency in 2017. Signed to be a starting cornerback in a revamped secondary, Cooper was known mostly because of this bone-headed play that cost the Bears an easy touchdown in what was eventually an overtime win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. And while Cooper made up for his mistake, he eventually lost his starting job to Kyle Fuller and found himself in John Fox’s doghouse as he spent more time on special teams than with the defense down the stretch in 2017.
In addition to the roster shuffle, the Bears announced tight end Adam Shaheen and outside linebacker Aaron Lynch were not traveling with the team to Detroit. Both players have been ruled out due to concussions, so it’s not much of a surprise that neither player is taking the team flight to the Motor City.