Bears' roster cuts include two preseason stars, local veteran

The Chicago Bears announced over 30 players were released or waived on Sunday. NFL teams had until 6 p.m. ET on Sunday to reduce their rosters to 53 players. 

Among the players released or waived by the Bears were preseason stars such as running back Salvon Ahmed, wide receiver Maurice Alexander and Barrington native and fellow pass-catcher Scotty Miller.

Ahmed starred for the Bears in their preseason-opening 34-10 win over the Cleveland Browns, notching three receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown and adding two carries for 17 yards. He was among the Bears released as a vested veteran, making him a free agent. Ahmed showed promise in the first two preseason games, but did not play at Tennessee.

Alexander led the Bears with 15 receptions, 152 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the preseason.

Miller, who has played seven years in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers, had seven receptions for 65 yards in the preseason. In 93 career NFL games, Miller has 99 receptions for 1,216 yards and six touchdowns. 

The Bears have a deep WR corps. Rookie Zavion Thomas, who starred for the Bears in Saturday's 24-15 win at Tennessee, made the team. There was some speculation that Thomas might be placed on the practice squad. He had five receptions for 140 yards and a scintillating 97-yard TD reception against Tennessee.