The Chicago Bears are parting ways with a former Green Bay Packers drafted wide receiver in their first round of cuts before the 53-man roster deadline.
According to the team’s official transaction wire, the Bears waived wide receiver Samori Toure — a 2022 seventh-round pick — and five other roster-fringe players on Sunday in their first moves to reduce to the 53-man limit before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.
Toure caught five of his seven targets for 72 yards for the Bears in the 2025 preseason and has 22 games of experience from his first two seasons with the Packers. The Bears‘ logjam at the wide receiver position, however, left him with little room to win a spot.
The Bears also waived linebacker Swayze Bozeman, offensive lineman Chris Glaser, tight end Thomas Gordon and defensive backs Mark Perry and Jeremiah Walker.
Bears Shut Down Terell Smith for Entire 2025 Season
Additionally, the Bears placed cornerback Terell Smith on the season-ending injured reserve list on Sunday in an expected move following his severe preseason injury.
Smith had been making a strong case for a spot in the Bears‘ 2025 cornerback rotation in camp after playing a rotational role in his first two seasons. The door slammed shut on him, however, when he suffered a significant knee injury during the Bears’ second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills that resulted in him being carted off the field.
According to The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, Smith — a 2023 fifth-round pick — tore his patellar tendon in his left knee against the Bills, ending his season prematurely.
Smith has one more season remaining on his rookie contract and will likely receive a chance to win a roster spot again for the 2026 season, so long as he fully recovers.
Bears Facing Tough Decision With Final Spot at WR
The Bears have made their first cut at receiver, but they are still facing a tough decision about which one to keep for the sixth — and likely final — spot in their 2025 rotation.
The Bears have five locks to make the 53-man roster between starters D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze, second-round rookie Luther Burden III and offseason signings Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay, the latter of whom gives them an All-Pro returner. If they keep six receivers for their initial roster, though, there are a few worthy candidates.
Undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker might have the strongest case of the bunch. He stood out all summer in camp and made the most of his preseason reps, catching eight of his 11 targets for 98 yards and two touchdowns — including a game-winning scoring catch from quarterback Tyson Bagent in their 29-27 comeback over Kansas City last Friday.
Walker has also contributed on special teams, putting another feather in his cap.
The Bears, however, also have Tyler Scott, Maurice Alexander and veteran Miles Boykin to consider. Scott is a 2023 fourth-round pick who could stick around if the Bears feel he still has untapped potential. Alexander shone alongside Walker in the preseason, catching 9-of-12 targets for 71 yards and a score. And Boykin offers veteran experience.
The Bears have roughly 24 hours to get their initial 53-man roster into working shape.
Bears Release Ex-Packers WR, Place CB on IR in 1st Roster Cuts