The Chicago Bears had two players start on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list — Tarik Cohen and rookie Dazz Newsome. Tarik Cohen was coming off a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 3 of the 2020 NFL Season. Dazz Newsome broke his collar bone at OTAs earlier this June.
Tarik Cohen has been rumored to be walking with a bit of a limp and rumors are that he may not be ready for the start of the season. Reports have been a little conflicting though. Mark Grote stated that Cohen looked to be walking gingerly, however, our very own Joseph Herff attended camp on Saturday and said Cohen looked to be walking normally.
1. For starters, Tarik Cohen to me did not walk with a limp.
— Joseph Herff (@JosephHerffNFL) July 31, 2021
He and Eddie Jackson were doing farmer carries together with what seemed to be a 45 pound weight.
I didn’t see a limp. I’m sure his recovery is moving along nicely.
The Chicago Bears were able to remove Dazz Newsome from the PUP list
The good news for the Chicago Bears at least is that Dazz Newsome is about to return to action. He will be a limited participant at practice to start this second week of training camp.
Coach Nagy announced that rookie Dazz Newsome will be coming off the PUP list today and will be limited in practice.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 2, 2021
Although only a limited participant to start, this is a good sign for both the Chicago Bears and Newsome. Newsome is a sixth-round draft pick who was going to push to make the final roster. Seeing Anthony Miller traded definitely helps Newsome’s cause, but will it be enough for him to make the roster that is announced by August 31, 2021, or will he be placed on the Chicago Bears practice squad to start the season instead? Only time will tell, but I have Newsome earning a spot.
My prediction is that the Chicago Bears will be keeping six wide receivers on the active roster. Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney are the obvious top-two options. Newcomers Marquise Goodwin and Damiere Byrd have been praised throughout the offseason process and many say have looked great in camp. This leaves two spots for Riley Ridley, Javon Wims, Dazz Newsome, Justin Hardy and others.
I don’t see Wims sticking around and believe Hardy actually has a better chance of making the final roster. Newsome is one of the six I predict to be remaining, but the worst-case scenario is that he is stashed on the practice squad to start the year. Even if on the final roster, Newsome is not likely to contribute much this season. I have him projected for just under 100 yards and no touchdowns in 2021.