Bears Roster Moves: Week 6
3.) Placed TE Busta Anderson on the injured list
The Bears just signed Anderson to the practice squad a few days before their game vs the Colts, but he’s already been placed on the practice squad injury list. It’s fitting that he’s already hurt, as Anderson only started 19 games in his college due to injuries.
Anderson has good size for the tight end position (6’5, 244) and enough speed to be a vertical threat (4.63). He was productive in college despite missing so many games with 61 catches for 954 yards and nine touchdowns.
The former seventh-round pick in 2015 has the potential to be a receiving threat at tight end, but will have to prove he can stay healthy to get a chance with the Bears. It’s a low-risk, high reward pickup for the Bears and Anderson could make an impact in the future.
4.) Signed WR Darius Jennings to practice squad
An undrafted free agent out of Virginia who was signed by the Browns after the 2015 draft. Jennings spent most of last season on the Browns practice squad, but he did appear in four NFL games with one start. Jennings caught 14 passes for 117 yards and returned seven kicks for 158 yards (22.6 ypr) last season.
Jennings is small (5’10, 169) and has just average speed for a return specialist (4.47), but had a lot of success returning kicks in college being named honorable mention all-ACC as a senior. He could get a shot returning kicks with the Bears if Deonte Thompson doesn’t start having more success.
5.) Signed TE Marcel Jenson to practice squad
At 6’6, 270 pounds, Jensen has great size for a tight end. He was projected to be a mid-round pick back in the 2014 NFL Draft, but a bad overall performance at the combine (4.85 40, slow change of direction in drills, suspect interviews) dropped him out of the draft altogether. The Jaguars signed Jensen as an undrafted free agent and he appeared in one game as a rookie with one catch for eight yards.
He’s bounced around since his rookie year with the Jags, spending time with four NFL teams last season (Broncos, Falcons, Bills, Redskins) before being released by the Skins in final cuts. Jenson is the 2nd tight end that the Bears have signed off the Redskins roster with Logan Paulsen joining the team just before week one.
Jensen has the ability to be a dominant blocker at tight end and enough speed to at least force someone to cover him in the passing game. He lacks ideal speed, but showed soft hands in college and the ability to break tackles after the catch. Jensen is more of a traditional blocking tight end, but has enough athletic ability to eventually be a three-down player.