Bears re-sign Napoleon Maxwell, place Michael Joseph on IR

On Monday morning the Chicago Bears announced that they were placing cornerback Michael Joseph on injured reserve, and in a corresponding move they were re-signing rookie running back Napoleon Maxwell.

Joseph has been around the Bears’ practice squad for the last two years after being an undrafted free agent from Dubuque. The Oswego, Illinois native made it to the active roster for the last two games a year ago and was in the mix for a reserve spot

Maxwell was signed as a UDFA from Florida International back in May, but he was released in August as the Bears got down to the 80-man roster limit.

With David Montgomery sidelined for a few weeks with a groin injury, the 6’, 215 pound Maxwell will fill out the running back room with Tarik Cohen, Ryan Nall, Artavis Pierce, and Cordarrelle Patterson, whom the Bears still list at wide receiver even though he’s spent all of camp with the running backs. Patterson was asked today after practice if he considers himself a full time running back now, and he said “I’m a full time whatever coach needs me to do. I’m always on go.”

Maxwell may not have not have a very good shot at the opening day roster, but considering how many backs the Bears currently have on the roster, I’d say he has a decent shot at making it to the practice squad.