NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears are bringing back a familiar face to the defensive side of the ball.
Here is the latest from the transaction wire:
#Bears roster moves:
We have signed DL Abdullah Anderson to the practice squad and have released LB James Vaughters from the practice squad.— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) September 12, 2019
Defensive Abdullah Anderson has been re-signed to the practice squad. In order to make room for Anderson, the team has released preseason fan-favorite outside linebacker James Vaughers.
The Bears waived Anderson on Wednesday in favor of adding J.P. Holtz to the 53-man roster. Holtz is one of five tight ends on the roster, and could see some playing time as early as Sunday if starter Trey Burton misses his second consecutive game with a groin injury. As for Anderson, he could see some game reps, too, but only if a worst-case scenario plays out.
What that scenario would look like is as follows: If nose tackle Eddie Goldman can’t play, the Bears could promote Anderson from the practice squad and onto the active roster. But if that plays out, someone from the 53-man roster will have to be let go (unless a player was placed on injured reserve and a roster spot was cleared in that way). It is something we will continue to monitor, because losing Goldman would be something of a big deal as the Bears go up against a Broncos rushing attack that features 1,000-yard rusher Phillip Lindsay.
We will also continue to keep tabs on Goldman’s status over the next few days. Goldman suffered an oblique injury in Wednesday’s practice, which landed him on the injury report as a limited participant. And even though Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy did not seem too concerned about Goldman’s injury being too problematic while meeting with the media at Halas Hall earlier on Thursday, Goldman showed up on the injury report again — this time as a non-participant in practice.
Should Goldman be unable to make the trip to Denver or can’t suit up against the Broncos on Sunday, the Bears would need a replacement defensive lineman to fill the void. It doesn’t mean Abdullah would jump into the starting lineup, as Nick Williams is currently listed as the team’s backup nose tackle. HOWEVER, filling the void on the depth chart is important. Here’s hoping these contingency plans don’t have to be put into action right now, because Goldman is a valuable piece of the puzzle the Bears would hate to lose.
