Special teams key to Bears roster moves and practice squad

The roster moves let them add former Bears cornerback Jaylon Jones and linebacker D'Marco Jackson to the 53-man roster. Special teams were also in mind with those moves.

Jones not only was a second backup outside cornerback for the Bears in 2022-24 but also was a key coverage player on punts. He led the team in unassisted special teams tackles in 2023 with seven and had 11 of them in two seasons. He played gunner on punts, and the Bears just experienced a poor preseason from a punt coverage standpoint. Punter Tory Taylor had a 53.4-yard average but his net was only 39 yards.

Jackson was one of New Orleans' better special teams players when Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was head coach.

They have one practice squad spot available after they made signings if they did decide to bring back either Daly or Duvernay.

Duvernay figured to be their return man this year when he signed in free agency. His contributions as a wide receiver seemed to tail off throughout training camp and then he didn't return kicks and was missing practice late last week. Duvernay made only a 21-yard kick return in preseason and had no other returns.

The Bears have several other options on the roster for returns, particularly Olamide Zaccheaus or Luther Burden III on punts and Kyle Monangai or Jonathan Owens on kicks.

Practice Squad

The practice squad has 15 players on it and teams are allowed 16.

The rest of the Bears practice squad consists of players who had been cut this week:

• Wide receivers Maurice Alexander, JP Richardson and Miles Boykin

• Running back Brittain Brown

• Tight end Stephen Carlson

• Defensive linemen Jonathan Ford, Xavier Carlton, Tanoh Kpassagnon and Jamree Kromah

• Offensive linemen Jordan McFadden and Ricky Stromberg

• Linebacker Power Echols

• Defensive backs Tre Flowers and Mekhi Garner