The Chicago Bears are turning to a familiar face as they navigate a growing injury list on the defensive line ahead of their Week 4 home matchup. On September 26, the Bears re-signed second-year defensive tackle Travis Bell to their practice squad and placed defensive lineman Sam Roberts on the practice squad/injured reserve list, as confirmed by the team’s transaction wire.
Bell, a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, originally joined the Bears’ practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster out of training camp. His time with the Bears was cut short when the Atlanta Falcons signed him to their active roster, where he played two games in 2023. Bell recorded two solo tackles across 30 defensive snaps with the Falcons. After a brief stint with the Cincinnati Bengals late in the 2023 season, he was waived once again at the roster cut deadline for 2024.
The Bears’ decision to bring back Bell comes as injuries to key defensive linemen pile up. Zacch Pickens, a third-round pick in 2023, has been sidelined for nearly two weeks with a groin injury suffered in Week 2 against the Houston Texans. In addition, starting defensive tackle Andrew Billings (knee) and defensive end Montez Sweat (elbow) have been limited in practice, casting doubt on their availability for Week 4’s clash with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Bears also placed Sam Roberts, a recent addition to their practice squad, on injured reserve with an unspecified injury, leaving a gap in the team’s depth at the defensive tackle position.
A Familiar Face Returns
Bell’s re-signing represents an opportunity for him to prove his worth in a system where Bears general manager Ryan Poles holds him in high regard. After selecting Bell in the seventh round of the 2023 draft, Poles expressed admiration for the Kennesaw State product’s character and potential.
“This is probably one of my favorite human beings,” Poles said after the 2023 NFL Draft. “He is a special person. I didn’t want him to leave after his 30 visit and he didn’t want to leave, either. There’s something different about this guy. He is passionate about the game.”
Poles went as far as to compare Bell to Atlanta Falcons’ star defensive lineman Grady Jarrett, noting similarities in size, athletic traits, and mentality.
“When you look at the measurables and the traits, obviously from a small school, but I saw Grady Jarrett-type comp,” Poles told NFL Network’s Cynthia Frelund. “Same size, same testing numbers — almost identical. … He’s got the right make-up to do that, and the tape is fun to watch.”
While things didn’t work out in Bell’s first stint with the Bears, his return offers a chance for redemption.
Will Bell Get a Shot on Game Day?
As the Bears prepare for their Week 4 game against the Rams, they’ll be keeping a close eye on their injury report. Pickens’ status is the biggest question mark, while Billings and Sweat will also need to be evaluated before a final decision on Sunday’s lineup. If the injuries continue to linger, the Bears may be forced to elevate defensive line depth from their practice squad.
Byron Cowart, another practice squad defensive tackle, has already been elevated twice this season and could be called upon again for the Rams game. However, the Bears can only promote Cowart one more time before they must sign him to the active roster to use him further this season.
This situation could open the door for Bell to see game action in the coming weeks. If Cowart is elevated for Week 4 or 5, the Bears may turn to Bell for future depth as their defensive line rotation battles through injuries.
For now, Bell’s return strengthens the Bears’ practice squad and offers some much-needed depth as the team works to shore up its defensive front. Whether he gets the call-up to the active roster in the coming weeks depends on the health of the Bears’ starters, but Bell could become a critical piece if the injury bug continues to plague Chicago’s defensive line.
