The Chicago Bears are calling up another tight end for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders after the latest update on first-round pick Colston Loveland.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Loveland is not expected to play in Week 4’s road game against the Raiders because of the hip injury he sustained in last week’s victory.
Loveland exited in the second quarter of Week 3’s win over the Dallas Cowboys with a hip injury and did not return for the remainder of the game. He also missed the first two practices this week but returned in a limited capacity for Friday’s walkthrough and received a questionable designation in the team’s final injury report for Week 4’s game.
Bears elevated tight end Stephen Carlson from their practice squad for Sunday’s game at Las Vegas.
On Saturday, the Bears also elevated veteran tight end Stephen Carlson to the game-day roster against the Raiders, adding depth behind starter Cole Kmet and Durham Smythe.
Carlson has been with the Bears for the past two seasons, but he has spent most of that time on their practice squad, recording no statistics in the only game he has played for them back in 2023. He did catch six of his nine targets for 62 yards and a touchdown in 25 games with the Cleveland Browns during the first two seasons of his career, though.
The Bears (1-2) will kick off against the Raiders (1-2) at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Colston Loveland’s Role Was Growing Before Injury
While the Bears have plenty of passing targets to push on without Loveland, the timing of his injury is rather unfortunate, given that his role on offense seemed to be growing.
After receiving just three total targets in the first two games, Loveland saw three targets in the first two quarters against the Cowboys, including a deep pass that he secured for a 31-yard reception — the longest catch of his young career. Had it not been for his hip injury, he would have likely remained a regular part of the game plan against Dallas.
Fortunately, the Bears will have their bye week after playing the Raiders, which should give Loveland additional time to heal from his injury. Schefter had reported coming out of Week 3’s game that Loveland would have a chance to play in Las Vegas in Week 4, so it stands to reason that the Bears do not believe his injury will cause long-term issues.
For now, though, the Bears must get on without their top pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Bears Made 2 More Roster Moves Ahead of Week 4
In addition to elevating Carlson, the Bears also made two additional roster moves to reinforce their game-day roster for Sunday’s showdown with the Raiders.
According to the team’s transaction wire, the Bears signed linebacker Carl Jones Jr. from their practice squad to their 53-man roster after they expended two of his three allotted elevation opportunities over the first three weeks of the season.
Jones has only played 35 special teams snaps for the Bears this season, but his depth is valuable with veteran T.J. Edwards (hamstring) out for the third time in four games.
Chicago also elevated defensive tackle Jonathan Ford from the practice squad to their game-day roster, adding depth with veteran Grady Jarrett (knee) already ruled out.
The Bears ruled out Edwards, Jarrett and right tackle Darnell Wright on the final injury report for Sunday’s game against the Raiders, but they also listed Loveland, cornerback Kyler Gordon (hamstring) and running back D’Andre Swift (hip) as questionable.
Bears Make Roster Move After Grim Update on Colston Loveland