By Townhall Chicago News Staff
The Chicago Bears announced Saturday that they activated defensive back Kyler Gordon from Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform and signed defensive back Nick McCloud to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.
In corresponding moves, the Bears placed defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo on Reserve/Injured and released defensive back Xavier Woods, the team announced on its website.
The transactions reshaped the roster heading into the second quarter of the season and reflected the team’s shifting priorities on defense. The Bears entered Sunday’s game already without defensive ends Montez Sweat, who was placed on the Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner list Oct. 13, and Odeyingbo, as well as linebacker T.J. Edwards and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.
Gordon had been on the PUP list since before training camp with a calf injury. He returned to practice Sept. 30 and was eligible for activation at any point in the three-week window that followed. His activation Saturday came one day before his debut against the Falcons, where he recorded 3.0 sacks and two forced fumbles in a 31-23 victory.
“I talked with Kyler [Saturday] morning and said, ‘Hey, I think we want to activate you, are you ready to go?'” Bears coach Ben Johnson said after Sunday’s game, according to the team’s website. “And he said, ‘absolutely,’ and he sure enough was.”
Odeyingbo’s placement on Reserve/Injured removes him from the active roster for at least four games. The defensive lineman joined the Bears’ defensive line rotation this season but his injury necessitated the move.
McCloud, who was signed to the active roster as part of the transaction package, contributed on special teams in Sunday’s win. He recovered a fumble on a second-half kickoff return at the Falcons’ 31-yard line, leading to a Cairo Santos 50-yard field goal that extended the Bears’ lead to 31-7.
Woods’ release cleared a roster spot as part of the corresponding moves. The veteran defensive back had been part of the Bears’ secondary depth.
The Bears also activated defensive lineman Shemar Turner from the Reserve/PUP list on Oct. 13 in a separate set of transactions. That same day, Sweat was placed on the Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner list.
The Bears, now 4-2, host the New England Patriots on Thursday night at Soldier Field. The short week limits practice time and could influence further roster decisions in the days ahead.
