Bears Bring Up Receiver to Fortify Depth Against Lions

Wide receiver Collin Johnson could make his Bears debut on Sunday against the Lions.

Facing a possible depth situation at wide receiver due to injuries and illness, the Bears on Saturday promoted Johnson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster for Sunday's game via standard elevation.

Johnson is 6-foot-6, 222 pounds and has been in 26 NFL games, 14 with the Jacksonville Jaguars and 12 with the Giants. He has made one NFL start with the Giants in 2021, the last season he was in an NFL game.

Johnson played for Jacksonville in 2020 and made 18 receptions for 272 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games.

In 2021 he had 11 receptions in 12 games for 105 yards. In all, he has been on the field for 460 offensive plays and 277 special teams plays.

Johnson is a former Texas receiver who the Jaguars drafted 165th overall in Round 5 in 2020. His father is former Rams defensive back Johnnie Johnson, who retired after the 1989 season.

The Bears signed Johnson to their practice squad Oct. 10 after he had been waived at the end of preseason by the Giants. He had suffered a torn Achilles in 2022 before the season and spent the entire year on IR.

The Bears receiver position beyond starters DJ Moore and Darnell Mooney is uncertain for the game. They do know Equanimeous St. Brown is out due to a pectoral muscle injury suffered in practice while he was blocking.

Wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. missed Friday's practice with an illness and is questionable. Wide receiver Tyler Scott has a hamstring injury suffered this week and is questionable after going through a limited practice on Friday. The other backup receiver on the roster is punt returner Trent Taylor.