Chicago Bears Add Seven Players to Practice Squad, Claim Former Raider Bass

Aug 29, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Fendi Onobun (84) makes a catch against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. The Cleveland Browns defeat the Chicago Bears 18-16. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears are rounding out the back end of their roster and getting their 8 man practice squad in order.  First things first.  Multiple reports have the Bears claiming former Raiders DE David Bass.  Bass was drafted by the Raiders in the seventh round of the 2013 draft out of Missouri Western State.  He’s a little undersized for a DE, but would be expected to be a solid special teams contributor.  He had three special teams tackles against the Bears in the third preseason game last week.

In order to make room for Bass, the Bears will have to make a corresponding roster move.  That could explain why the Bears have only named 7 players to their practice squad so far.  Some expect that center Taylor Boggs could be a candidate for the practice squad.  On the other hand, if they add Bass, they’d have 6 DE’s on their roster.  Maybe Cheta Ozougwu ends up getting dropped from the 53?

Get to know the practice squad players after the jump…

The practice squad as presently comprised is mostly returning guys who just missed in the final cuts.  TE Fendi Onobun, FB Harvey Unga, LB Jerry Franklin, DE Aston Whiteside and CB Demontre Hurst.  The two newcomers are wide receiver Ricardo Lockette and quarterback Jerrod Johnson, both of whom spent time with the Seattle Seahawks.

Ricardo Lockette was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent out of Fort Valley State in 2011.  He spent most of 2011 on the Seahawks’ practice squad but was promoted late in the season.  He had 2 catches for 105 yards and a TD.  He missed the cut in 2012 and ended up getting scooped up the 49ers.  He spent the 2012 season on the Niners practice squad before getting cut.

Jerrod Johnson was an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M.  He’s made the world tour through the Arena League and the fringes of NFL rosters since 2011.  He had brief stints with the Eagles, Steelers and Seahawks before getting picked up by the Bears.  He figures to run scout team and serve as Marc Trestman’s developmental project.

I have to say, of all the moves the Bears made, I’m most surprised that Harvey Unga is back yet again.  He’s been on the edge of the rosters since 2010.  What do the coaches see in him???

I’m glad the Bears kept Onobun around. If they can teach him how to catch, he certainly has the athleticism to make some big plays.  I also have high hopes for Demontre Hurst.  He played well in the preseason and with another year of seasoning, he could be a difference maker in the Bears secondary, much like what Isaiah Frey did last year.

Any surprises?  Were there players on the street that the Bears should have brought in?