Chicago Bears roster cut down begins with three players being placed on IR

The Chicago Bears have until Tuesday afternoon to finalize their 53-man roster to open the season but the team has begun their trimmings on Saturday.

A day after the Bears traded for pass rusher Darrell Taylor, the team placed three players on Injured Reserve.

Wide receiver Nsimba Webster had an impressive showing in the team's preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night. Webster was thought to be in the mix for one of the return jobs on special teams, was a playmaker in the passing game as he totaled 68 receiving yards on 3 receptions.

Despite his impressive showing, it was always considered to be an uphill climb for Webster to make the 53-man roster. With four receivers ahead of him on the depth chart and Webster not near the top of the return specialist depth chart, the veteran likely was going to be cut ahead of the deadline on Tuesday.

When the Bears signed Ian Wheeler as an undrafted free agent, it was thought that the running back could be a surprise candidate to make the 53-man roster. Wheeler doubled as a return specialist in college, adding to his stock in terms of potentially making the roster. Wheeler had a two-touchdown performance against the Buffalo Bills last week, adding to his rising stock. With a torn ACL, his season is effectively over.

Had it not been for the ACL injury, Wheeler likely would have been a viable practice squad candidate for the Bears this season.

Douglas Coleman suffered a scary neck injury on Thursday, forcing him to be carted off the field and hospitalized. Coleman has since been released from the hospital. Coleman wasn't in a position to make the 53-man roster this season, meaning the IR designation will give the Bears another look at him next season during Training Camp.