The Chicago Bears have made a roster move ahead of their Monday Night Football game against Washington.
Here it is:
#Bears roster moves:
We have waived TE Bradley Sowell and have signed DT Abdullah Anderson from the practice squad to the active roster.— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) September 23, 2019
Defensive tackle Abdullah Anderson has been signed from the practice squad and added to the active roster. It is a move that brings the Bears’ defensive line to full strength with defensive lineman Bilal Nichols out this week with a broken hand. And while Roy Robertson-Harris will take over a fair amount of snaps that Nichols leaves behind, it’s good to have another big-bodied defensive lineman in the mix who can eat space and take some game reps.
In order to make room for Anderson on the active roster, the Bears have waived tight end Bradley Sowell. The Bears converted Sowell into a tight end after having him play as a swing tackle the last two seasons. And while Sowell will always have that touchdown reception against the Rams last season, these Bears needed to add some beef on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage with Nichols out of action.
As for the 23-year-old Anderson, September has been busy. Anderson was waived on September 11 to make room for tight end J.P. Holtz on the active roster when Trey Burton was working his way back from a groin injury. One day later, Anderson was re-signed to the practice squad when Eddie Goldman’s Week 2 playing status was up in the air because of an oblique injury, waiving preseason standout outside linebacker James Vaughters to clear a spot.
How long Anderson stays on the active roster remains to be seen. Nichols could be fitted for a cast on his hand that could help him play through the injury until it heals completely, just like Leonard Floyd did last season. But because Floyd and Nichols play different positions and have different responsibilities, it is impossible to fairly compare Floyd and Nichols playing with a cast. In any case, having a healthy body in the rotation should help Nichols take the necessary time to get healed before the idea of playing with a cast is entertained.
Still … let’s keep an eye on the Bears’ roster moves know that we know Nichols’ hand injury is serious enough to call up a defensive lineman from the practice squad.