Bears finalize 53-man roster as Kyler Gordon expected to miss at least four games

The Chicago Bears moved to set their initial 53-man roster on Sunday, completing the familiar cutdown process that determines who is eligible to be active on game days at the start of the regular season. According to Pro Football Rumors, the team’s transaction list on cutdown day included multiple releases as Chicago narrowed the roster to the required limit.

The most notable personnel development in the Bears’ cutdown summary involves cornerback Kyler Gordon. The report indicates Gordon is expected to miss at least four games, meaning the Bears will plan defensively without one of their more experienced options at corner during the season’s early stretch.

Cutdown day also included releases affecting both offense and defense depth. Pro Football Rumors listed running back Salvon Ahmed and tight end Stephen Carlson among the players released as Chicago made room under the roster cap. The same report also included defensive line moves, with Marcus Davenport, Wesley French, and James Lynch named as part of the cut list.

On the receiving and linebacker side, the Bears’ cutdown report included wide receiver Scotty Miller as released, along with linebacker Jon Rhattigan and linebacker Jack Sanborn. Those moves reflect how teams often balance special teams needs with position-by-position roster limits once the starters and top backups are established.

In addition to standard releases, the Bears also used an injured-player mechanism as part of the cutdown. Pro Football Rumors reported that offensive tackle Jedrick Wills was released with an injury settlement, a procedural step teams sometimes take when a player cannot immediately contribute but is not retained on the active roster.

For the Bears, the immediate impact is straightforward: Gordon’s expected absence creates a short-term need for depth at cornerback and likely increases the workload for the next tier of defensive backs and their special teams roles. It also affects how the Bears can allocate practice reps in the next phase of training camp and early preparation, since the coaching staff will need to be ready to rotate coverage and limit exposure for less-established defenders.

Roster construction will remain a moving target even after the 53 is set. With injuries still possible early in the season and because teams can use practice squads to adjust personnel, the Bears’ first-week defensive look will be the practical test of how their cutdown decisions and Gordon’s timeline translate into on-field assignments.