Bears Bounce Bell, Add TE Eldridge
Sep 23, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Kahlil Bell (32) runs during the second quarter against the St. Louis Rams at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE
It was back to work at Halas Hall on Monday morning for most Chicago Bears following a 4-day weekend on their bye. I say most Bears because running back Kahlil Bell was cut to make room for tight end Brody Eldridge.
Bell was cut just before the Giants game after traveling to New York for the Bears’ third preseason game and now gets his walking papers just after coming back to Chicago following a bye weekend trip back home to California. At least he’s racking up some frequent flyer mileage. After hearing that he got cut, I was left wondering if it’s better to get canned following a trip home or would it have been better to get the ax before leaving town last Thursday? Discuss.
August 18, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams tight end Brody Eldridge (81) looks on in the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE
As for Eldridge, he was cut the St Louis Rams in August when he was suspended 4 games for violating the league’s performance enhancing substance policy. He spend the previous two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, starting 16 games and amassing 14 catches for 84 yards. The 6-5, 265 pound TE was drafted in the 5th round by the Colts out of Oklahoma.
The Eldridge move is curious to me, as the Bears have a lot of depth at the position. Besides starter Kellen Davis, the Bears have Matt Spaeth, Kyle Adams and injured 4th round selection Evan Rodriguez. ERod missed the last two weeks with a knee injury, so this move might speak to his health more than anything.
The move with Eldridge also means the Bears feel confident enough in the return of wide receiver Earl Bennett’s, who’s coming off a hand injury. Alshon Jeffery is expected to miss time with a fractured hand, so there was some speculation that the Bears might promote wide receiver Joe Anderson off the practice squad. Adding a tight end to the active roster means the Bears don’t expect to go into the Lions game short on wideouts.