Last week, the Bears used the ability to expand game-day rosters to 55 players by promoting practice squad players to the active roster to elevate quarterback Tyler Bray to be an additional voice for Nick Foles.
This week’s promotion figures to be more functional on the field than just someone the quarterback can bounce ideas off.
Chicago announced it is activating linebacker Devante Bond to the active roster for tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bond played four games with the Bears last season, but didn’t make an appearance on defense. Instead, Bond exclusively played on special teams. It’s a 35-snap sample, but it made enough of an impression for the Bears to bring him back and use him for tonight’s game.
The Bears’ special teams unit struggled last week. Penalties were problematic, as was allowing Pat O’Donnell’s first punt of the game to get blocked. And with Sherrick McManis and Deon Bush nursing injuries, Chicago needed fresh bodies in the mix. That’s where Bond fits in the mix.
Bond, 27, has 33 career games under his belt — 29 of which came while he was with the Buccaneers from 2017-19.