Bears make intriguing move on DL with 25 sacks

Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Bears make intriguing move on DL with 25 sacks

Originally posted on NFL on ClutchPoints
By Josh Davis, ClutchPoints | Last updated Aug 31, 2026 7:32 PM ET

The Chicago Bears are signing veteran defensive lineman Marcus Davenport to their practice squad, keeping an experienced pass rusher in the organization after releasing him during roster cuts Sunday.

Davenport gives the Bears additional defensive-line depth after the team traded defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and placed Shemar Turner on the reserve/PUP list.

CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported the move Monday on X, formerly Twitter, highlighting Davenport’s extensive NFL experience and the news of his return to the Bears organization.

“The #Bears are signing veteran defensive lineman Marcus Davenport to their practice squad, sources tell
@CBSSports.

Former first-round pick with 43 career starts, 165 career tackles and 25 career sacks. Was a starter for the Lions last year.”

The #Bears are signing veteran defensive lineman Marcus Davenport to their practice squad, sources tell @CBSSports.

Former first-round pick with 43 career starts, 165 career tackles and 25 career sacks. Was a starter for the Lions last year. pic.twitter.com/ha2quKtknV

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) August 31, 2026

Davenport originally joined the Bears’ 90-man roster on August 17 after visiting the team, but Chicago released him on Sunday to trim the roster to 53 players. As a vested veteran, the 29-year-old was not subject to waivers and could sign directly with the practice squad.

The New Orleans Saints took Davenport with the No. 14th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of UTSA. Across eight seasons with the Saints, Minnesota Vikings, and Detroit Lions, he has appeared in 77 games with 43 starts, recording 165 tackles, 25 sacks, and seven forced fumbles. His best season came in 2021, when he posted nine sacks in 11 games under then-Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who now holds the same role with the Bears.

Davenport appeared in eight games with seven starts for Detroit in 2025, finishing with 14 tackles and one sack.

The Bears recorded 35 sacks last season and can evaluate Davenport without using a spot on the 53-man roster. Chicago can also elevate him from the practice squad if needed before the team’s September 13 season opener vs. the Carolina Panthers.

This article first appeared on NFL on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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