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Chicago Shakes Up Roster With Key Pre-Camp Moves

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated Jul 20, 2025 9:34 AM ET

Big signings spark optimism, but injury list news leaves fans with more questions than answers.

With less than a week before training camp, the Chicago Bears finally delivered some positive news to fans. After weeks of uncertainty, the team announced the signing of all three second-round draft picks, bringing much-needed clarity to a tense offseason. The deals come after what was a notable hold-up surrounding second-round contracts and guaranteed money. Offensive tackle Ozzy Tripilo, defensive tackle Shemar Turner, and wide receiver Luther Burden III are now officially under contract. While this move closes the door on contract drama, it opened another involving roster health.

According to ChicagoBears.com, the team placed four players on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list: cornerback Jaylon Johnson, quarterback Case Keenum, wide receiver Jahdae Walker, and running back Ian Wheeler.

The NFI list is reserved for players who suffer injuries outside of team activities, which means these players cannot practice until cleared by team doctors. While the team released no additional details, the news sparked immediate fan reactions online.

Confusion centered on Jaylon Johnson, a cornerstone in the secondary. Comments like ‘Jaylon is not injured!’ and speculation about possible contract disputes flooded social media. Even rookie Ian Wheeler drew concern with fans posting messages like ‘Ian Wheeler Noooo’ as questions about his status grew.

Training camp kicks off next week, and while excitement is building for the new signings, uncertainty lingers over these recent developments. The focus will be on whether the sidelined players return quickly and how the team plans to manage roster depth in the coming days. Expect plenty of speculation—and even more competition—as final roster spots are up for grabs.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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