Deion Hankins: Everything you need to know

The Bears waived Hankins (shoulder/quadriceps) on Thursday. Hankins no longer carries an injury designation, so he'll be ready to go at his next landing spot. The 25-year-old running back spent his rookie 2025 season on the Bears' injured reserve. He's an interesting player at 5-foot-11, 225 pounds, but he finished with just 4.4 YPC and two touchdowns in his sixth college season in 2024.

Hankins (shoulder/quadriceps) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Adam Hoge of AllCHGO.com reports. Hankins appeared to injure both his shoulder and quadriceps during the Bears' preseason game against the Bills on Sunday. By being placed on IR, he'll be forced to miss the entire 2025 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with the Bears.

Hankins (knee) is doubtful to return to Sunday's game against the Bills, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports. Hankins was in concussion protocol earlier in August but had cleared it and started Sunday's preseason tilt, as the Bears opted not to play D'Andre Swift while Roschon Johnson (foot), Kyle Monangai (undisclosed) and Travis Homer (calf) are unavailable. Ian Wheeler and Brittain Brown are Chicago's remaining options at running back. Hankins had three carries for 10 yards and failed to catch his only target prior to limping off the field.