Bears Cut C.J. Wilson, Sign Ben Braunecker
Since his four-year stay in Green Bay — one that included a rookie-year Super Bowl ring — C.J. Wilson has not had much luck sticking with teams. This pattern persisted on the eve of the Bears’ Week 4 contest, when they cut Wilson and promoted rookie tight end Ben Braunecker from their practice squad, Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times reports (on Twitter).
No tight ends reside on Chicago’s injury report in advance of Sunday’s Bears-Lions game, but prior to Braunecker’s promotion, the team only had two on its roster — Zach Miller and Logan Paulsen. The UDFA’s been with the team since signing after the draft.
Wilson, however, spent the offseason with multiple teams, the Bears and Saints after a lengthy stay in free agency. This came after he’d suited up for the Raiders and Lions the past two seasons. The Packers did not opt to bring the defensive end back after his rookie contract expired in 2014.
The 29-year-old defender will head to waivers after bypassing that step due to the Saints cutting him before the season. The Raiders waived Wilson in November, and after he caught on with the Lions, Detroit released him in February.
Wilson has not played in a game this season after suiting up for 12 last year. He has 6.5 career sacks in 78 career games (19 starts).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Practice Squad Updates: 9/28/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: LB Jonathan Anderson (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: OT Clay DeBord
- Cut: DE Chris McCain
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Zaviar Gooden (Twitter link via Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: C Daniel Munyer
- Cut: WR Seantavius Jones (via Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star)
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: LB Darnell Sankey (via Scott Bair of CSNCalifornia.com)
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Anthony Johnson (Twitter link via Doug Kyed of NESN)
- Cut: OT Ian Silberman (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New York Giants
- Signed: OT Jon Halapio (Twitter link via James Kratch of NJ.com)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Jonathan Krause (Twitter link via Roy Cummings of WFLA)
Bears Work Out Four
- Defensive tackle Sealver Siliga worked out for the Bears, Doug Kyed of NESN tweets. The Bears also auditioned tackle Clay DeBord, guard Austin Shepherd, and offensive tackle Arturo Uzdavinis, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link).
Bears Place Kyle Fuller On IR
The Bears have lost another key defender, as the club announced that cornerback Kyle Fuller has been placed on injured reserve. Fuller could return from IR at some point, down the line, but he’ll have to miss a minimum of eight weeks.
[RELATED: Bears Sign Joique Bell]
Fuller, 24, hasn’t played yet this season while battling a knee injury. The third-year pro underwent a knee scope last month, and his recovery has gone much slower than expected. A full-time starter in each of his first two seasons, Fuller’s loss is just another blow to a Chicago defense that can’t afford many more hits. For now, the Bears will lean on Tracy Porter, Jacoby Glenn, Bryce Callahan, Deiondre’ Hall, and others to hold down the fort in the secondary.
Chicago sits at 0-3 on the season, and their lackluster play on the defensive side of the ball has contributed to the club’s woes, as the Bears’ defense ranks 27th in DVOA. The Bears have already lost Lamarr Houston for the season, while Danny Trevathan and Eddie Goldman will miss several weeks with their own injuries.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bears Sign DL C.J. Wilson
7:10pm: The Bears have officially announced the moves listed below.
5:52pm: The Bears have agreed to terms with defensive lineman C.J. Wilson, according to his agents at SportsTrust Advisors (Twitter link). Terms of the deal haven’t been announced, but it’s likely a one-year contract at minimum salary.
[RELATED: Bears Sign Joique Bell]
Wilson, 29, has 78 career games under his belt, with most of that time coming as a rotational option with Packers from 2010-2013. He played in 12 contests in 2015 (eight with the Lions, four with the Raiders), and picked up nine total tackles to go along with one sack. Wilson bounced and off the Saints’ roster this offseason, and was ultimately cut when final rosters were set.
Chicago didn’t stop with the Wilson signing, however, as the club has made several other transactions today. The Bears have waived tight end Greg Scruggs and linebacker Jonathan Anderson, creating roster spots for Wilson and linebacker John Timu, who is being promoted from the practice squad, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter links).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
NFL Waiver Priority Now Based On 2016 Record
We’re coming up on Week 4 of the NFL season and that means that waiver claim priority will be based on the current league standings instead of last year’s. Of course, waiver priority is based on the inverted NFL standings, which have built in tiebreakers to sort out the many logjams that naturally occur.
Throughout the offseason and the first three weeks of the regular season, the Titans enjoyed top priority thanks to their 3-13 finish last year. Now, we have a brand new pecking order. Here is a full rundown of the current waiver claim priority, which will change from week to week:
1. Jaguars
2. Saints
3. Bears
4. Browns
5. Chargers
6. Lions
7. Jets
8. Cardinals
9. Bills
10. Colts
11. Dolphins
12. 49ers
13. Buccaneers
14. Bengals
15. Titans
16. Redskins
17. Panthers
18. Falcons
19. Cowboys
20. Giants
21. Raiders
22. Packers
23. Chiefs
24. Rams
25. Seahawks
26. Texans
27. Steelers
28. Ravens
29. Eagles
30. Broncos
31. Vikings
32. Patriots
Bears To Sign Joique Bell
The Bears have signed running back Joique Bell, as NFL reporter Rand Getlin tweets. Bell met with Chicago late this morning and it didn’t take long for the two sides to shake hands on a deal. 
Bell has been on the market since he was released by the Lions in February. Prior to his release, the tailback turned down a pay cut proposal. In hindsight, Bell might have been too confident in the strength of his market. Regardless, Bell is now back in the game and back in the NFC North. The veteran will have an opportunity to exact revenge on his old team this Sunday when the Bears face off against Detroit.
Bell, 30, averaged just 3.5 yards per carry last season, the lowest of his career. However, he has a history of productivity and has shown that he can be an effective runner and pass catcher when given the opportunity. Before Theo Riddick was doing damage as a pass-catching back in the Lions’ offense, it was Bell who was making things happen with his hands. In his first two seasons with Detroit, Bell averaged 52 catches for 516 yards.
Bell will likely serve as a reserve tailback behind Jordan Howard while starter Jeremy Langford heals up from a ankle injury. Ka’Deem Carey is also dealing with a hamstring injury and his status going forward is uncertain.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bears Working Out RB Joique Bell
The Bears are working out running back Joique Bell today, as freelance reporter Rand Getlin tweets. Chicago is exploring depth options after losing Jeremy Langford to injury. 
Langford is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks with a sprained ankle and backup Ka’Deem Carey is dealing with a hamstring issue. If Carey cannot go in Week 4, the Bears will likely use rookie Jordan Howard as their primary back. Raheem Mostert is also on the depth chart, but the Bears will need another RB with experience behind the Indiana product if Carey cannot suit up.
In 13 games for Detroit last season, Bell racked up 311 yards off of 90 carries with four touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 286 yards. Despite giving the Lions multiple seasons of production, Bell was cut earlier this year to save $1MM against the cap.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bears’ Jeremy Langford Out For 4-6 Weeks?
The Bears expect running back Jeremy Langford to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks with sprained ankle, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 
Langford, an NFL sophomore, was thrust into the starting role this season following the departure of Matt Forte. Through three games this season, Langford has amassed 116 yards off of 31 carries with two touchdowns. His 3.7 yards-per-carry average has been roughly in line with his 3.6 ypc posting last season.
With Langford sidelined for multiple weeks, the Bears will likely turn to Jordan Howard, a fifth-round pick out of Indiana. “The Bulldozer” has looked sharp in a limited sample size, posting a 5.6 ypc average off of 12 attempts. The Bears also have Ka’Deem Carey on the depth chart, but he is dealing with an injury of his own.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Practice Squad Updates: 9/26/16
Here are today’s practice squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Colin Kelly
- Cut: OL Jason Weaver (Twitter link via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune)
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DL Kristjan Sokoli (Twitter link via agent Brett Tessler)
- Cut: DL Sterling Bailey (Twitter link via Mike Chappell of CBS4)
New York Jets
- Signed: RB Brandon Wilds (via press release)
- Cut: RB Dominique Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OL Robert Myers (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times)