Bears in the NFL: Regular Season edition

The NFL regular season gets underway next Thursday, and in preparation, all 32 teams dropped from 90 to 53-man rosters this week while subsequently solidifying practice squad signings and other designations.

As expected, Baylor Football alums were significantly affected by the scheduled tidal wave of transactions, both positively and negatively. 

With things as settled as possible, here’s your guide to Baylor Bears in the NFL as the regular season looms. 

53-MAN ACTIVE ROSTERS (13)

• Andrew Billings, DL, Bears
• Ben Sims, TE, Packers
• Grayland Arnold, S, Texans
• Jalen Pitre, LB, Texans
• JaMycal Hasty, RB, Jaguars
• Jon Weeks, LS, Texans
• JT Woods, S, Chargers
• Ross Matiscik, LS, Jaguars
• Terrel Bernard, LB, Bills
• Tyquan Thornton, WR, Patriots **
• Siaki Ika, DL, Browns
• Xavien Howard, CB, Dolphins
• Xavier Newman, OL, Titans 

** - Thornton made New England’s initial 53-man but was placed on non-season ending Injured Reserve a day later, meaning he’ll automatically miss the first four games of the season

PRACTICE SQUADS (6)

• Bravvion Roy, DL, Ravens
• Connor Galvin, OL, Lions
• Grant Miller, OL, Rams
• Henry Black, S, Colts
• Mark Milton, CB, Panthers
• Will Bradley-King, DL, Commanders

INJURED RESERVE (1)

• James Lynch, DL, Vikings

Lynch will miss the 2023 season after suffering a torn ACL last month in camp. He will become a free agent in March.

FREE AGENTS POST-53

These players were let go and have yet to sign with another team. 

• Abram Smith, RB (Vikings)
• Blake Lynch, LB (Chargers) **
• Denzel Mims, WR (Lions) **
• Gavin Holmes, WR (Titans)
• Jameson Houston, CB (Vikings) ***
• Kalon Barnes, CB (Vikings)
• Kyle Fuller, OL (Broncos)
• Sam Tecklenburg, OL (Panthers)
• Trestan Ebner, RB (Bears)

** - Injury Settlements. Mims agreed to an injury settlement with Detroit, as did Ebner with Chicago and Blake Lynch with LA. That means each player is waived and free to sign with another team once they’re cleared health-wise. Mims was dealing with ankle and calf injuries, Ebner is in concussion protocol, and Lynch’s issue was undisclosed.

*** - Houston had just signed less than a week ago

FINAL COUNT (20)

The Bears now have 13 players on active regular season rosters and six players on practice squads as of September 1st. 

Plus, James Lynch’s injury designation means he’s getting paid and is an employee of the Vikings until spring. Therefore, he’s included in the 20.