The Chicago Bears have cut loose one of their running backs in a series of final roster moves before their Black Friday matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to the transaction wire, the Bears activated cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon from injured reserve on Thanksgiving, providing a substantial boost for their secondary as they prepare to face two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Jalen Hurts.
To make room for the two cornerbacks on their 53-man roster, though, the Bears also waived running back Brittain Brown and placed rookie guard Luke Newman on injured reserve with a foot injury that kept him from participating in the short week of practice.
Brown had made an impression in his limited playing time for the Bears, running for a 22-yard touchdown and 37 total yards on five carries in his first elevation opportunity against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9. He also seemed like he might have a shot at locking down the No. 3 role in the rotation behind D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai after the team placed Roschon Johnson on injured reserve before Week 12’s game.
Instead, Brown will hit waivers with the chance that another team could scoop him up. He could potentially re-sign to Chicago’s practice squad, but only if he clears waivers.
The Bears would also have to want him back, but they have no running back currently signed to their practice squad and just three — counting Travis Homer — on the 53.
The Bears (8-3) will kick off against the Eagles (8-3) at 3 p.m. ET on Black Friday.
Brittain Brown Likely to Return, Given Depth Situation
The Bears may have cut loose Brown and rolled the dice on another team plucking him off the waiver wire, but they seem likely to re-sign him should he return to free agency.
Originally a 2022 seventh-round pick for the Las Vegas Raiders, Brown joined the Bears in the second week of the 2025 preseason and proceeded to rush 29 times for 100 yards and a touchdown over their final two exhibition games. While he didn’t make the initial 53-man roster, the Bears brought him back on the practice squad to start the season.
Since then, Brown has risen to the occasion each time the Bears have called his number, which, in fairness, has not been much more than his spot performance as the No. 2 back to Monangai in Week 9. He played 10 special teams snaps last week after his bump to the active roster, but the Bears did not hand him the ball with their top backs healthy.
Even still, Brown can continue to add value as a backup plan on the practice squad and is far too sensible a re-signing option for the Bears to ignore — once he clears waivers.
Bears Elevate Backups at OL & LB for Eagles Matchup
In addition to their Thanksgiving roster changes, the Bears also made two more moves in preparation for their NFC frontrunner showdown with the Eagles on Black Friday.
The Bears elevated guard Jordan McFadden and veteran linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin — a former Pro Bowl special teamer for the Detroit Lions — from the practice squad to their 53-man roster for Week 13’s game, giving them additional personnel at two positions that have been impacted by at least one recent injury.
In McFadden’s case, the Bears are calling upon him to replenish the depth they lost when they placed Newman — who had been their primary backup at guard — on IR, but the situation with Reeves-Maybin is more interesting, given the slew of injuries there.
The Bears won’t have starting linebacker Tremaine Edmunds eligible for return to the active roster until Week 16 at the earliest. They also ruled out veteran T.J. Edwards (hand/hamstring), Noah Sewell (elbow) and rookie Ruben Hyppolite II (shoulder) against the Eagles in Week 13, creating uncertainty about when each may return.
While the Bears will play their best linebackers when they are healthy, Reeves-Maybin could potentially put himself in that mix if he manages to impress against the Eagles. He added more special teams value than defensive value for the Lions, but the Bears would gladly take reinforcements in either phase if Reeves-Maybin can make an impact.
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