Traditionally, players on an NFL team’s practice squad can be poached at a moment’s notice. But one of the unique caveats of roster management in 2020 is that teams are allowed to protect four players from being signed away.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports the following players have been protected:
• Quarterback Tyler Bray
• Running back Artavis Pierce
• Offensive Lineman Jamon Brown
• Kicker Cairo Santos
That these players landed on the Bears’ protected list should come as no surprise.
Santos will serve as Chicago’s kicker for at least the first three weeks of the regular season because of Eddy Piñeiro’s troublesome groin injury. Brown is the most experienced offensive lineman on the practice squad who could be a swingman along the interior. And of course the Bears were going to protect Bray, who is part emergency quarterback and part soothsayer.
Pierce represents the most notable protected player of the bunch. The undrafted rookie could be insurance if David Montgomery can’t play in Week 1. Montgomery has been nursing a groin injury the last few weeks. And while it’s possible he could be back for the season-opener against the Lions, there is a chance he could sit out to get a full amount of rest.
In any case, let’s keep an eye on how the Bears use these practice squad protection designations moving forward.