Bear Digest

Bears' elevation of Stephen Carlson could result from tight end injury

Stephen Carlson will be on the game day roster for the Bears after being brought up from the practice squad, potentially a move made due to a tight end injury.
Gene Chamberlain|
Stephen Carlson was promoted from the Bears practice squad Saturday, possibly as a precaution.
Stephen Carlson was promoted from the Bears practice squad Saturday, possibly as a precaution. | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

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Chicago Bears

The Bears have elevated tight end Stephen Carlson from the practice squad for Sunday's game with the Giants, possibly as a result of an injury situation.

They also signed linebacker Carl Jones Jr. back to the practice squad Saturday after he had been released earlier, and released wide receiver Miles Boykin from the practice squad.

The injury situation the Carlson move seems to be pointed at is not the concussion Cole Kmet suffered last week, as he went through the concussion protocol and was cleared during the week. His name was removed from the injury report.

However, third tight end Durham Smythe suffered a calf injury during the week at practice and had only limited practice time on Friday. As a result, he was classified as questionable for Sunday's game and it's possible he'll be inactive.

Smythe's blocking has been instrumental in the Bears' rise as a running team when they were in three-tight end formations or when in 12-personnel without Colston Loveland or Cole Kmet playing.

Smythe hasn't been targeted with a pass this year but has been on the field for 142 offensive plays. Pro Football Focus grades Smythe as the Bears' second-best run blocker who isn't an offensive lineman.

Carlson has been active in two games this season without being targeted on a pass and played in three games overall dating back to last year.

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.