Bears Signing Former Packers WR to Practice Squad: Report

The Chicago Bears are reaching across the rivalry lines to secure more pass-catching depth and signing a former Green Bay Packers wide receiver.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears are signing 2022 seventh-round pick Samori Toure to their initial practice squad for the 2024 season. The Packers waived him during 53-man roster cuts on August 27 after rostering him for the past two years.

Toure caught 13 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown in 22 career games for the Packers, but the 26-year-old primarily played a backup role behind the team’s other young receivers, including fellow 2022 draft picks Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. He will now have a chance to provide depth to the Bears’ receiving corps for 2024.

The Bears kept six wide receivers on their initial 53-man roster with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze projected to receive a bulk of the target shares. Chicago also has 2023 fourth-round pick Tyler Scott in the mix alongside running back hybrid Velus Jones Jr. and DeAndre Carter — both of whom figure to play returner roles in 2024.

The Bears will likely sign at least one more wide receiver to their 16-man practice squad before the NFL-wide deadline at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 28.

Will Collin Johnson Rejoin Bears on Practice Squad?

The Bears will have no shortage of wide-receiver choices for their practice squad, but there is one name that makes more sense than the rest of the field: Collin Johnson.

Johnson caught two touchdowns in the Bears’ preseason opener against the Houston Texans for the annual Hall of Fame game, but an injury sidelined him for the rest of the preseason, blocking his path to the 53-man roster. According to The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, though, Johnson is now healthy and “is expected to be re-signed to the practice squad” — assuming Johnson does not find a better fit elsewhere in the NFL.

Will Collin Johnson Rejoin Bears on Practice Squad?

The Bears will have no shortage of wide-receiver choices for their practice squad, but there is one name that makes more sense than the rest of the field: Collin Johnson.

Johnson caught two touchdowns in the Bears’ preseason opener against the Houston Texans for the annual Hall of Fame game, but an injury sidelined him for the rest of the preseason, blocking his path to the 53-man roster. According to The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, though, Johnson is now healthy and “is expected to be re-signed to the practice squad” — assuming Johnson does not find a better fit elsewhere in the NFL.