3 Chicago Bears who will likely be off the 53-man roster by Week 5

Doug Kramer, C

We have seen Doug Kramer go from a sixth-round draft pick by the Bears in 2022 to the practice squad, then to Arizona, and back to the Bears' practice squad. This is the first time he made the initial 53-man roster but I don't think he lasts.

We have not seen Ryan Bates practice in weeks. While predicting who made the initial 53-man roster, I had a feeling that Bates could end up on the IR to start the season. Larry Borom took that spot instead. My thinking here is that Bates is either healthy enough to be the main backup at center and/or guard to start the year or the team feels comfortable with him returning before the mandatory four weeks that is required he miss if he was put on injured reserve. I am leaning toward the latter and this is why Doug Kramer is still sticking around.

The Chicago Bears only kept nine offensive linemen on the roster last year. This year, they are keeping 10 and they have Borom on IR. Kramer looks to me as the odd man out once they know Ryan Bates is fully healthy and Borom clears that mandatory four weeks of being on the shelf (assuming he's healthy by then). Kramer is the most likely offensive lineman to be pushed to the practice squad should the team find a need to promote a different player/position. Or, maybe trade for one. This is why by Week 5, he is a leading candidate to no longer be on the roster.