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The Chicago Bears have activated tight end Adam Shaheen off of their injured reserve list, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. As a corresponding move, they have placed fellow tight end Dion Sims on injured reserve with a concussion.
Shaheen has missed the entirety of the 2018 regular season with a sprained right foot and ankle. The 2017 second-round pick out of Ashland caught 12 passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns last season and was expected to play a bigger role in the Bears’ offense this year before his injury in a preseason game against the Denver Broncos.
Sims caught two passes for nine yards this season. He served as Chicago’s in-line Y tight end, a role that Shaheen will fill as he returns from injury. Shaheen will presumably play a much larger role as a receiver than Sims did, however.
The Bears’ offense has been clicking in recent weeks, and the return of Shaheen gives them another weapon to add to their arsenal. The 24-year-old also provides another option in goal line situations, as all three of his touchdowns in 2017 came off of passes that were two yards or less. He and Trey Burton will look to form the dangerous tight end duo that had fans excited leading up to the regular season.