Chicago Bears’ 53-man roster tracker: Jaylon Johnson is activated — and other moves finished ahead of deadline
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson gets the crowd going during a Week 1 game against the Titans at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
By Brad Biggs | bmbiggs@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
UPDATED: August 26, 2025 at 3:24 PM CDT
The Chicago Bears must submit their initial 53-man roster to the NFL office before the league’s 3 p.m. deadline on Tuesday.
Here are all of the latest roster developments.
Final moves made:
The Bears set their 53-man roster at Tuesday’s 3 p.m. deadline.
Waived
- WR Maurice Alexander
- RB Brittain Brown
- LS Luke Elkin
- DL Jonathan Ford
- DB Mekhi Garner
- DL Jamree Kromah
- OL Jordan McFadden
- DL Zacch Pickens
- WR JP Richardson
- WR Tyler Scott
- OL Ricky Stromberg
Released
- WR Miles Boykin
- TE Stephen Carlson
- DL Tanoh Kpassagnon
Reserve/Injured; designated for return
- RB Travis Homer
- LB Amen Ogbongbemiga
Injured players waived
- DB Tysheem Johnson
- OL Doug Kramer
- OL Bill Murray
Activated
- DB Jaylon Johnson
- P Tory Taylor
Tuesday’s practice report:
The Bears completed a 70-minute practice in shorts and shells. Notable observations:
— D’Andre Swift was the only running back who participated in practice. Newcomer Brittain Brown was not spotted, an indication he could be placed on waivers. Ben Johnson was asked about the status of the running back room before practice.
“We’re working through that,” he said. “We’ll always be looking if there’s guys out there that can help upgrade that room. I feel really good about the coach that we have in that room. Eric Bieniemy has been doing a phenomenal job getting those guys ready. I think it starts there. I have been pleased with Swiftie and everything he has shown over the course of camp. And then we’ve got some young guys that maybe don’t have as many skins on the wall but they’re hungry and they’re learning.
“I think we’re in a good spot right now. I think the injury part of it, that is the most troubling and concerning part right now is just making sure we have enough depth so that we have a full stable of guys going forward but I have full confidence that Week 1 and really for the whole season we’re going to be just fine there.”
 Bears running back D'Andre Swift runs with the ball during the first half of a preseason game against the Chiefs on Aug. 22, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Rookie Kyle Monangai remains out with a soft-tissue injury and Roschon Johnson (foot) and Travis Homer (calf) have also not been available recently.
It’s possible and perhaps even likely the running back depth chart looks different before next week.
— Linebacker T.J. Edwards and defensive end Dominique Robinson both left practice early accompanied by athletic trainer Andre Tucker.
— Linebacker Carl Jones Jr. was going through drills. An undrafted free agent from UCLA a year ago, Jones was considered a bubble roster player because of his ability on special teams. With veteran linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (shoulder) absent, it could mean Jones will stick around.
— Wide receiver Devin Duvernay, who missed nearly two weeks with an undisclosed injury, was practicing. That’s a positive sign as he’s expected to be the punt returner.
— The following players were not seen: wide receivers Maurice Alexander and Miles Boykin, defensive backs Mejhi Garner, Tysheem Johnson and Josh Blackwell, defensive linemen Austin Booker, Jamree Kromah and Jonathan Ford, offensive linemen Bill Murray, Doug Kramer and Jordan McFadden, and tight end Stephen Carlson.
Just because these players were missing doesn’t mean they’re being released. Blackwell and Booker are dealing with injuries.
Tuesday’s movesWith 20 roster spaces to clear to reach the 53-man limit, the Bears began the process Tuesday morning. The team will likely reach that figure or get close to it before a scheduled 1 p.m. practice.
The most significant moves in relation to the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings involve two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson and potential injured reserve moves.
Johnson will be moved to the active roster from the active/non-football injury list, according to coach Ben Johnson. The team has consistently said the goal is for Johnson, who suffered a calf injury training for the start of camp, to be ready for Week 1.
“That’s been the target date,” Ben Johnson said. “But we’ll see.”
 Bears coach Ben Johnson speaks during a news conference following a preseason game against the Chiefs on Aug. 22, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)With one practice Tuesday and another Wednesday before a four-day break, there isn’t a lot of time remaining for Johnson to get up to speed. Even if he’s cleared to play against the Vikings, it’s fair to wonder if he will be in top shape.
“I think that’s a good observation right there,” Ben Johnson said. “We’re doing as much as we can to make sure that conditioning is where it needs to be, but at the same time, there really is no substitute for putting on pads and playing the game at full speed. Each guy’s different, particularly guys that have had success in this league. They’re a little bit different than maybe a rookie that you don’t know as much about.
“He does get a little benefit of the doubt because he’s played this game at a high level. At the same time, I don’t think there’s any substitute for being able to be about there and go through the process. Training camp is a really good indication, not just for the team but for each player as you’re working through low volume, ramping on up over the course … just to make sure you’re ready to take on a 17-game season. Of course he’s missed that.”
There are a small handful of players that could be candidates to open the season on the IR list with a designation to return. Defensive end Austin Booker (knee), running backs Travis Homer (calf) and Roshon Johnson (foot), cornerback Josh Blackwell (undisclosed) and potentially linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (shoulder) are in that category. Johnson did not want to disclose any coming moves, choosing to wait until the afternoon deadline.
Simultaneous with the cut to 53, the team can designate two players to begin the season on IR with designations to return. With Homer and Johnson both injured, it will make the running back position interesting to watch.
 Bears defensive tackle Zacch Pickens runs with the ball during training camp at Halas Hall on July 29, 2025. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)The Bears will place defensive tackle Zacch Pickens, a third-round pick from South Carolina in 2023, on waivers. Pickens used last offseason to get in excellent shape, but he suffered a groin injury that marred his season. He was limited to nine games (three starts) in 2024 and had 19 tackles and one sack.
The Bears bolstered the position in the offseason by paying veteran Grady Jarrett in free agency.
Wide receiver Tyler Scott, another member of the 2023 draft class that was selected in the fourth round, will also be waived. Scott didn’t get a lot of opportunities last season, and the wide receiver room became crowded this year with the addition of second-round pick Luther Burden III and free agents Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay. Scott was pushed for a roster spot by Jahdae Walker, an undrafted rookie from Texas A&M.
 Chicago Bears wide receiver Tyler Scott (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field, Aug. 17, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)The Bears have informed defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon that his contract will be terminated as a vested veteran. He is expected to be re-signed to the practice squad and could factor in the gameday roster at the start of the season with Booker potentially sidelined. Kpassagnon spent the last four seasons with the New Orleans Saints so he has ample experience playing for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
The Bears will waive long snapper Luke Elkin, an undrafted free agent from Iowa. Veteran Scott Daly, the Downers Grove South and Notre Dame product, has won that job, as expected.
Wide receiver J.P. Richardson, an undrafted free agent from TCU, has been informed he will be placed on waivers. Richardson flashed during the first half of training camp with some big plays. He is expected to be a strong candidate to be re-signed on the practice squad.
Another name that will be on the list is offensive lineman Ricky Stromberg. A third-round pick by the Washington Commanders in 2023, Stromberg was let go by his original team last year following a knee injury. Once healthy, the Bears signed him to the practice squad in November. He has the flexibility to also play guard.
The Bears will likely use a good portion of today’s roster moves to form the core of their practice squad. Teams can begin signing players to the practice squad after the NFL releases the personnel notice on Wednesday, sometime around midday.
Monday’s moves Cornerback Zah Frazier stretches during Bears rookie camp at Halas Hall on May 9, 2025, in Lake Forest. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)The Bears cleared 11 more roster spaces before practice Monday afternoon, bringing the number of players remaining on the roster to 73.
The club placed rookie cornerback Zah Frazier, a fifth-round pick from Texas-San Antonio, on the reserve/non-football injury list. Frazier has missed all of training camp and preseason. The transaction means Frazier will be out for the entire season.
The team requested waivers for running back Ian Wheeler, quarterback Austin Reed, defensive backs Millard Bradford, Alex Cook and Kaleb Hayes, linebacker Power Echols and defensive lineman Xavier Carlton. Three veterans were also released: running back Royce Freeman, cornerback Tre Flowers and offensive lineman Joshua Miles.
The moves include tight end Joel Wilson being waived, which the Tribune reported earlier. Wilson led the team with 11 receptions in preseason and scored a touchdown. The Central Michigan product initially joined the team’s practice squad during the middle of last season. Wilson was locked in a battle for the third tight end job with veteran Durham Smythe and Stephen Carlson. |
