Bears Need To Make Some Tough Decisions

This season's cutdown date has arrived. All teams must trim their rosters to a maximum of 53 players before 3:00 PM Tuesday. Some teams, including the Bears, started the process after their 24-21 loss to Buffalo, to close the preseason. After the 24 hour waiver period ends Wednesday afternoon, teams can form their 16-man practice squads.

On Sunday, Ryan Poles released P. J. Walker and Alex Leatherwood. The team also waived/injured OL Gabe Houy. The roster now has 84 players (at the time of this writing).

There are several players who have minor injuries, and most concerning are the injuries to several offensive linemen. Starting guard Teven Jenkins is week-to-week with strained calf muscle in each leg. Starting center Cody Whitehair has been playing at guard due to an undisclosed problem with his right hand. Lucas Patrick and Doug Kramer, the other centers on the rosters are also ailing.

Poles may need to use the Injury List immediately

This year, as many as eight players can be designated to return from the Injured Reserve list. With the lingering injuries on the line, Poles may need to use the list right away. That process is not available to him until later this week, when the roster has been selected. A player must stay on the injury list a minimum of four weeks. There is no limit to the number of players that can be placed on IR, but as mentioned only eight can be "designated to return."

The waiver list and signing "vested veterans"

There will undoubtedly be some new players added to the roster after Tuesday and it is important for our readers to understand the difference between players being waived and those being released.

Non-vested players have been in the league less than four years. The players that fall into this category are placed on waivers. Teams can make a claim for these players. If more than one team submits a claim for a player, the team with the higher position on the waiver claim list is awarded the player.

Vested players, those with four or more years of playing time, are not subject to waivers, and are free to sign with any team immediately.

The Bears have the top spot for claiming waived players. They maintain that position until after week three of the regular season. After week three the waiver list changes. The team with the worst record gets the first opportunity to claim a waived player.

Vested veterans not being signed immediately

Another quirk in signing players after cutdown day is how the league handles contracts for veteran players. If a team adds a vested veteran to the roster BEFORE the start of the season the contract is guaranteed for the entire season. After week one the contract becomes a week-to-week deal.

Ryan Poles' dilemma is how to deal with the injuries to the offensive line. Whitehair has replaced Jenkins at guard while Teven has been dealing with his lower leg issues. Lucas and Kramer can't play. Do they get released prior to making the roster? Are they moved to IR after the roster is released and then designated to return?

Poles may have to keep a few players dealing with nagging ailments, at least through week one. Then he can sign a veteran to the roster and either waive players or place them on injured reserve.

Stay tuned to the Bears page at SportsMockery.com as our writers break down all the roster moves this week.