Chicago Bears 2014 Roster Battles: McClellin and Bostic Recover, Weems Out

The Bears' week two victory over the Jaguars was a key one for the backups that completed the comeback. Let's look at who helped and hurt their stock after this game.

Fair to say already, since he's been removed from the team, Eric Weems hurt his stock badly enough that he lost not only his position, but his spot on the team to new roster add Santonio Holmes. Weems had issues with returning kicks in both preseason games, and he didn't display receiving skills enough to put him that high up the depth chart. Holmes might not be the number three at this point, maybe a four, but Josh Morgan has looked up to being a number three, and though Chris Williams did not play, he might yet be in that conversation himself. Options are good, and the Bears decided Weems would no longer be a valued one.

Jimmy Clausen still has the lead at second quarterback on Jordan Palmer, for what my money's worth. Palmer looked better on Thursday than he did against the Eagles, but the game-winning drive was prompted by two severe Jaguars penalties. He did look solid on his throw downfield to Matthew Mulligan, who stands to easily make the team with Zach Miller hitting injured reserve. Clausen over two weeks looks like he still has the talent that made him a second round pick of the Panthers. His tipped interception wasn't a good throw - it either needed to have a little more zip or needed to be lofted a little more, but over two games, he's still outperformed Palmer. It should be noted David Fales got no snaps during the game.

Shaun Draughn was the first running back in and looks like at this point he has a good hold on the backup running back spot, but Ka'Deem Carey and Senorise Perry both looked good in the second half scoring touchdowns to aid the victory. At this point, Carey probably keeps the spot due to being a draft pick, but Perry might be playing himself into a waiver claim by another team, or a practice squad spot.

Jon Bostic and Shea McClellin both played themselves back into likely being decent linebackers with their play on Thursday. Both looked much improved in their run fits. We've discussed it before, but McClellin shifting to a new position full time is going to be a process. Ideally, you'd like a third year player to be further along, but progress is there.

Another impact Weems' removal might have is the persistence of Jordan Senn on the roster. Weems' special teams play didn't keep him on, so Senn's might have to keep him on, which might mean bad things for Christian Jones or Khaseem Greene if the Bears keep six - Lance Briggs, D.J. Williams, Senn, Bostic, and McClellin would be five.

Trevor Scott is really playing to stay on this team, he's been impressive at nearly every marker so far, and if he makes the fourth end, that's a three-way battle for spot five (and maybe six) between Austen Lane, David Bass and Cornelius Washington. Washington's flashed in both preseason games, though deep in each game.

Al Louis-Jean snared an interception in the first game. Thursday it was C.J. Wilson's turn. Both are longshots to make the team, given the team's depth at defensive back already, but maybe a team will take a chance on them, or one could hit the practice squad.