Bears sign Artavis Pierce back to the practice squad, waive two players

The Chicago Bears picked up a huge win against the Detroit Lions last Sunday, but they suffered a couple injuries to their running back corps during the game. Reports have starter David Montgomery out about a month with a left knee sprain and back up Damien Williams exited with a quad injury. Williams is expected to be good to go on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, but the Bears made a move to bolster the position by re-signing Artavis Pierce to their practice squad.

Pierce was with the Bears all offseason, and was a member of their initial practice squad this year, but he was released last month. He now rejoins his former college teammate, Ryan Nall, as the only two running backs on their practice squad. To make room for Pierce the Bears waiver inside linebacker Rashad Smith.

With Montgomery out, and a likely candidate for injured reserve, expect either Nall or Pierce to be on the game day roster on Sunday.

The only other running back on the Bears is Tarik Cohen, but the soonest he could be activated from the PUP list is week seven.

Today the Bears also waived wide out/punt returner Nsimba Webster to make room for receiver/return specialist Jakeem Grant, whom they traded for this morning. Grant is an accomplished returner with 5 career touchdowns, so he’ll immediately step into the punt return role for the Bears in place of Webster but also in place of rookie Khalil Herbert on kick returns. Herbert will likely see his role of offense increase the next month with Montgomery sidelined.

The Bears also announced that they were protecting 4 players on their practice squad this week in both Nall and Pierce, but also defensive lineman Margus Hunt and kicker Brian Johnson.