Bears: 5 players who won't be on the roster by Week 1

Bears: 5 players who won’t be on the roster by Week 1

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 08: Jimmy Graham #80 of the Chicago Bears runs the ball during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Bears 24-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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4. Artavis Pierce, running back

Even with Tarik Cohen missing most of last season, Pierce only got six carries in five games as the Bears leaned into David Montgomery as their workhorse back. Chicago signed former Chief Damien Williams to be a backup to Montgomery. Rookie Khalil Herbert has a path to taking over the kickoff returner spot vacated by Cordarrelle Patterson, which will add to his ability to secure a roster spot.

After the top four backs of Montgomery, Cohen, Williams and Herbert, Pierce will be competing with Ryan Nall and rookie undrafted free agent CJ Marable for the chance to make the roster as the No. 5 back. Keeping five running backs on their final 53 heading into Week 1 feels unlikely for the Bears. So it could come down to who is kept on the practice squad, and Pierce will have to stand out to even do that.

3. Javon Wims, wide receiver

Wims put his name in the headlines for an incident with Saints’ defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson last season, which earned him a two-game suspension and a healthy scratch in Week 12 when the Bears came back from their bye. He had six catches on 12 targets for the season, with not much in the way of special teams work either (60 snaps).

The Bears aren’t loaded at wide receiver. But they do have a lot of players competing for spots down the depth chart, and Wims could be out of the mix quickly.

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