Paul Lasike

Bears Release WR Eddie Royal

The Bears announced that they have released wide receiver Eddie Royal. In related news, the team has also waived offensive lineman Cornelius Edison, fullback Paul Lasike, and defensive lineman Will Sutton"<strong

[RELATED: Bears Willing To Trade TE Zach Miller?]

Royal, 31 later this month, was an expected cap casualty after the March signing of Kendall Wright. The veteran had one year remaining on his contract, but his $5MM salary was completely non-guaranteed. Royal underwent surgery in late December to fix his turf toe issue and the fact that his release was formalized today could be an indication that he is able to pass a physical and suit up for a team.

Royal appeared in nine games last season for the Bears until he was placed on IR. In his injury-shortened season, he hauled in 33 catches for 369 yards and two touchdowns. The receiver first made a name for himself in Denver where he caught passes from Jay Cutler in the 2008 season. Now, both men are out of Chicago.

The Bears are projected to have Cameron Meredith, Wright, Kevin White, and Markus Wheaton as their top four receivers this year.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/12/16

Here are today’s minor moves.

  • The Bears promoted fullback Paul Lasike to their active roster, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets. Lasike’s been active in four of Chicago’s eight games this season and has taken two handoffs, gaining three yards. The 26-year-old blocking back’s previous stay on the 53-man roster concluded when the Bears waived him to promote Pernell McPhee last month.
  • The Buccaneers promoted defensive end Ryan Russell to their active roster, where he’ll take running back Russell Hansbrough‘s spot, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports (on Twitter). Doug Martin being set to return to action made Hansbrough expendable, though with the team short on healthy backs he could return to the practice squad. A former fifth-round Cowboys pick, Russell played in one game for Dallas last season. He has yet to suit up in a game this year.
  • To make room for the recently activated Derek Carrier on the 53-man, the Redskins waived cornerback Dashaun Phillips, the team announced. Phillips started two games for Washington this season and saw action in three.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/21/16

Today’s practice squad moves:

Chicago Bears

Oakland Raiders

  • Signed: G Ian Silberman
  • Placed on practice squad IR: OT Takoby Cofield

Philadelphia Eagles

Bears Activate LB Pernell McPhee

The Bears announced that they have activated linebacker Pernell McPhee. In a related move, fullback Paul Lasike has been waived. Pernell McPhee (vertical)

McPhee began the season on the PUP list but returned to practice this week. McPhee was hindered by a knee injury in the summer and needed arthroscopic surgery, but he is finally healthy after months of hard work. After McPhee recorded six sacks, one interception, and 53 tackles last season, the Bears are certainly happy to get him back on the field.

McPhee came to Chicago on a five-year, $38.75MM deal last offseason and showed everyone that he was worthy of that money. Unfortunately, his troublesome knee slowed him down later in the season.

The linebacker will be on the field tonight as the Bears take on the Packers.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/5/16

Here are today’s minor moves.

  • The Chargers signed cornerback Steve Williams and released nose tackle Ryan Carrethers, as Eric Williams of ESPN.com tweets.
  • The Bears promoted fullback Paul Lasike from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, as Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets.
  • Ravens tight end Daniel Brown has been promoted from the taxi squad to the active roster, as Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun tweets.
  • The Browns signed offensive lineman Anthony Fabiano off of their practice squad and waived defensive lineman Gabe Wright, as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com tweets.

Bears Promote Matt Barkley To Active Roster

The Bears announced that they have elevated quarterback Matt Barkley from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Barkley will give the team additional depth while Jay Cutler is sidelined with a sprained thumb. Brian Hoyer is expected to start in the interim. Matt Barkley (vertical)

[RELATED: Bears’ Jay Cutler To Miss 2 Or 3 Weeks]

Barkley was with the Cardinals this offseason but missed the 53-man cut. Soon after, he signed on with Chicago’s taxi squad. Barkley, 26, was a fourth-round pick of Chip Kelly’s Eagles in 2013. In two seasons with Philly, Barkley attempted 50 passes with four interceptions and zero touchdowns.

In related moves, fullback Paul Lasike was re-signed to the practice squad and outside linebacker Lamarr Houston was officially placed on IR. We learned earlier this week that Houston is done for the season after suffering a torn ACL.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/20/16

Tuesday’s minor moves from around the NFL:

  • The Chargers waived wide receiver Isaiah Burse, as Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego tweets.
  • The Buccaneers waived linebacker Josh Keyes, per Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). Keyes played extensively on special teams in the first two games of the season.
  • The Colts released safety Winston Guy, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • The Broncos waived defensive lineman Kyle Peko, as Mike Klis of 9News tweets.
  • The Giants terminated the contract of offensive tackle Byron Stingily, reports Ralph Vacchiano of SNY (Twitter link). The lineman was on IR with a concussion.
  • The Bears waived fullback Paul Lasike, as Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets. Lasike saw 14 snaps in Week 1 and just five snaps on Monday night.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/4/16

Now that the 2015 regular season is in the books, teams can begin signing players to reserve/futures contracts, adding those players to their 90-man offseason rosters. Generally, these players finished the season on a team’s practice squad, though some were free agents at season’s end.

Here are today’s reserve/futures deals:

Atlanta Falcons signed four players (Twitter link via Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com)

Baltimore Ravens signed seven players (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun):

  • Brennen Beyer, LB
  • Leon Brown, G
  • Nordly Capi, DE
  • Blaine Clausell, T
  • Chuck Jacobs, WR
  • Nick Perry, S
  • Harold Spears, TE

Buffalo Bills signed seven players (Twitter link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com)

Chicago Bears signed nine players (Twitter link via Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune):

Cleveland Browns signed six players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)

Dallas Cowboys signed eight players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)

Denver Broncos signed four players (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9NEWS)

Detroit Lions signed five players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)

Jacksonville Jaguars signed nine players (Twitter link via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union):

Miami Dolphins signed one player (link)

  • Tyler Davis, WR

New Orleans Saints signed five players (link via Evan Woodbery of the Times-Picayune):

New York Giants signed six players (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)

Philadelphia Eagles signed seven players (Twitter link via team):

San Diego Chargers signed six players (Twitter link via Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego)

Seattle Seahawks signed three players (Twitter link via Wilson)

  • Andrew East, LS
  • Ronnie Shields, TE
  • Phillip Sims, QB

Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed nine players (link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times):

  • Josh Allen, G
  • Andre Davis, WR
  • Antoine Everett, G
  • Ben Gottschalk, C
  • Gerod Holliman, S
  • Martin Ifedi, DE
  • Derrick Lott, DT
  • C.J. Roberts, CB
  • Joel Ross, CB

Tennessee Titans signed five players (Twitter link via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com):

  • David Fluellen, RB
  • Kevin Greene, TE
  • Nick Harwell, WR
  • Josue Matias, G
  • Will Poehls, T

Washington signs three players (link via team):

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/21/15

Here are today’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL..

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

  • Signed: RB Paul Lasike (Twitter link via Brad Biggs)
  • Cut: RB Bronson Hill

Philadelphia Eagles

San Diego Chargers

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/8/15

Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed:
  • Released:
    • G David Arkin

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Signed:

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington

  • To be signed: