LAS VEGAS — Bears tight end Colston Loveland’s hip injury is enough of a concern that the team called up an extra tight end Saturday ahead of its game at the Raiders on Sunday.
The Bears elevated Stephen Carlson from their practice squad, in addition to elevating defensive lineman Jonathan Ford and signing linebacker Carl Jones to the active roster. They currently have seven players on injured reserve, including cornerback Jaylon Johnson and backup offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie.
Loveland left the win over the Cowboys with the injury, but the Bears were hopeful it wouldn’t cost him any additional time. Instead, he was out of practice Wednesday and Thursday and limited Friday. Coach Ben Johnson designated him questionable on the injury report Friday.
The Bears already are down at least three starters because of injuries. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (knee), right tackle Darnell Wright (elbow) and linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) all have been ruled out.
Nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon, who missed the first three games with a hamstring injury, is questionable but hopes to play, and running back D’Andre Swift is questionable with a hip injury but likely to play.