Jalen Reeves-Maybin has evidently served his purpose for the Chicago Bears now that one of their top linebackers is nearing his return to the field in Week 16.
According to the team’s transaction wire, the Bears released veteran linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin from their practice squad and added linebacker Dominique Hampton to take his place in a pair of corresponding roster moves on Tuesday, December 16.
Reeves-Maybin — who made the Pro Bowl as a special-teamer in 2023 for Detroit — has chipped in for the Bears in a similar role over the past three games amid injuries.
While he has only contributed special teams snaps (50), his availability in the third phase freed up Amen Ogbongbemiga to play more defensive snaps while starting linebackers T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds have missed time with injuries.
Reeves-Maybin had reached a crossroads for the Bears, though. They had expended all three of his allotted elevations from the practice squad, putting them in a situation where they would have needed to sign him to the active roster to play him again.
Instead, the Bears decided to replace Reeves-Maybin with Hampton after opening the 21-day practice window for Edmunds to return from injured reserve earlier in the week.
Will Tremaine Edmunds Return for Packers Rematch?
The Bears opened the door for Edmunds’ return against the Green Bay Packers when they designated him for return earlier in the week, but will they activate him?
Edmunds suffered a groin injury in November 16’s win over the Minnesota Vikings and landed on injured reserve six days later after sitting out the following week of practice. While he started his first week back as a “limited” participant in practice, the Bears did not hold a practice on Tuesday, December 16 — hence, his participation was estimated.
Even if Edmunds remains limited throughout the week, the Bears could still hold him back against the Packers. He may need time to get his legs back under him after sitting out more than a month with an injured groin. The Bears also have the bigger picture to consider as they enter the week in a position to clinch a 2025 NFL playoff berth.
The Bears must activate Edmunds by 4 p.m. ET on Friday, December 19, at the latest for him to play against the Packers.
Dominique Hampton Could Receive Elevation Instead
In the event Edmunds is not ready in time for the Packers game, the Bears could always turn to the practice squad again and call up the freshly re-signed Hampton for duty.
Hampton, a 2024 fifth-round pick for Washington, is a hybrid linebacker who can also slide back into the deep field as a safety. He has played only six career NFL snaps, but the Bears seem to have seen something they liked from him in his previous stay on their practice squad, which could make him a candidate for elevation against the Packers.
The Bears also signed Ty Summers, a former Packers draft pick, to their practice squad before their first practice of Week 15. Summers has far more playing experience than Hampton, having played 908 special-teams snaps for the Packers during his three-season run with them. He also played five games for the Lions earlier this season.
Summers might be the better choice if the Bears wind up needing to elevate another linebacker, especially given his history with the Packers. At this point, though, all eyes are on Edmunds and his efforts to return to the 53-man roster before Saturday’s game.
The Bears (10-4) will play the Packers (9-3-1) at 8:20 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 20.
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