Windy City Gridiron
Tyson Bagent’s contract extension wasn’t the only transaction the Chicago Bears announced today. After a successful tryout on Tuesday, the Bears have signed running back Royce Freeman, and in a corresponding roster move have placed rookie UDFA running back Deion Hankins on injured reserve.
Freeman spent some brief time on the Bears’ practice squad last season, and this is his eighth different stint on a team in the NFL since being a third-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2018. He last appeared in an NFL game on January 4, 2024, with the Los Angeles Rams. The 29-year-old has 1792 yards rushing (3.8 avg) and 532 yards on 86 receptions in 79 career games. He has also played on 415 special teams snaps from 2020 to 2023.
Hankins was injured in the preseason game against the Bills and was battling shoulder and quad injuries.
At today’s practice, fellow running backs Roschon Johnson, Kyle Monangai, and Travis Homer were all still held out.
Chicago will finish its preseason slate on Friday in Kansas City.
