The Inactive Bears Against Tampa Bay

The odd man out for the Bears this week is not return man Velus Jones Jr. again or rookie receiver Tyler Scott.

Instead, it's running back D'Onta Foreman.

The free agent acquisition from the Carolina Panthers is inactive as the Bears will go with Roschon Johnson as the backup running back to Khalil Herbert. Johnson, their fourth-round draft pick from Texas, was impressive last week late in the game and had six receptions. He also stepped up with his pass blocking and that could be big this week against Tampa Bay's blitzing defense. Sportradar had the Buccaneers as blitzing the second-highest percentage of plays last week at 44.7%, just below Minnesota.

Foreman is a power back but had only five carries for 16 yards last week.

It would appear the starter at right guard for Nate Davis, who is unavailable after a death in his family, is second-year guard Ja'Tyre Carter and not veteran Dan Feeney. The Bears traded a late-round draft pick to acquire Feeney Aug. 29 but they may not be comfortable with his knowledge of the offense yet.

Bears Inactives

Emergency QB Tyson Bagent

RB D'Onta Foreman

WR Equanimeous St. Brown

DE Khalid Kareem

CB Josh Blackwell

G Nate Davis

Jones will be available for kick return duty. He was third in the NFL in kick return average last year among players with at least 20 returns but the Bears had him as inactive last week as Tyler Scott returned kicks.

Also unavailable for the second straight week is wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown, who the team has said is an extremely effective blocker on running plays and also downfield after catches on screens or short pass plays.

Davis reportedly had a death in the family and is unavailable this week. Blackwell suffered a hamstring injury and normally would be the backup to injured Kyler Gordon at slot cornerback. Instead, it would appear the Bears will use Greg Stroman as the backup slot cornerback.

There had been speculation receiver Chase Claypool could be inactive after a poor week as a blocker and with no receptions but he is active.

We will see what happens ... but hunch here is Ja'Tyre Carter will make his 1st NFL start at right guard in place of Nate Davis.

At nickel corner with Kyler Gordon and Josh Blackwell down, next man up may be Greg Stroman, who was promoted from the practice squad Thursday.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) September 17, 2023

Tampa Bay Inactives

CB Carlton Davis

LB SirVocea Dennis

TE Payne Durham

DL Calijah Kancey

RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn

T Brandon Walton

OLB Markees Watts

Davis starts and is one of their better cornerbacks but has a toe injury.

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