The Chicago Bears are cleaning up the roster as they head into the offseason. With Week 18 being rather meaningless, the team is going to sit anybody and everybody with any type of injury. If you are out this week, you could easily end up on the IR so that the team has more roster spots to call up other players.
This will allow them to get looks at some of the depth they have been stashing on the practice squad. The following players have been on the PS, but are clearly favorites of the coaching staff. They will be getting a chance to prove themselves this week.
3. Chicago Bears call up DeMarquis Gates
It feels like a lifetime ago, but if you remember back to the preseason, you remember DeMarquis Gates. Most fans were watching deep into preseason games to see linebacker, Jack Sanborn. Sanborn did not disappoint and has made a name for himself in recent weeks.
However, in most of those games, it would be Sanborn and Gates going blow-for-blow to see which competitor would make the most plays during their limited time.
Gates is an interesting case, though, because he is not a rookie. He spent his spring playing football for the USFL. His play was electric there, and it captured the attention of Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears. The team brought him on after the spring league, and he has not let go of his spot on the practice squad.
Sanborn is already out for the season, so the team has been looking at Joe Thomas in the role next to Nicholas Morrow. Still, Thomas is a long-time veteran and is not a future starter. Gates will be back next summer competing for a roster again. He will have a shot to make it as depth and special teams. A huge way to gain momentum heading into the offseason would be a strong week 18 performance that proves he belongs. The Chicago Bears might as well play Gates and see what he brings to the table.