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Chicago Bears place Marquess Wilson on IR/Designated to return, bring back Kelvin Hayden

The Chicago Bears made one roster move that was expected today, but the accompanying move was not.

Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports


The IR with a designation to return can only be used once each season, so the fact that the Bears used it on Wilson shows just how high they view his ceiling. He was primed to be the number three receiver after an off season working on his skills, and building up his body down in Florida with Brandon Marshall and his Chicago teammates. He may have limited NFL experience, but he was a very accomplished wide out in college that came out a year too soon. The Bears gambled on him in the 7th round last year and they were ready to reap the rewards in 2014.

Wilson is eligible to return to practice after six weeks and his first game back would be the Sunday Nighter against the Green Bay Packers on November 9th.

And as for the other half of the roster transaction...

Pat yourself on the back if you had Kelvin Hayden in the "Whom will the Bears bring back if they IR Marquess Wilson" pool.

I didn't see this one coming, but it does make some sense.

One starting corner ended the 2013 season on injured reserve. The other one is learning how to play nickel in sub packages. The 3rd corner is a rookie and behind the rookie is even more inexperience. He may not have had the flashiest of preseasons, but Hayden can play both nickel and outside, and he can play on the special teams.

I thought the Bears would either bring in another wide out, a special teams ringer, or Eben Britton to back up along the offensive line. With Jordan Mills finally recovered from his foot injury and Brian de la Puente finally returning from his knee injury, I figured they'd want the insurance Britton could provide.

What are your thoughts or these two moves by the Bears today?