The Chicago Bears are riding high after their 33-6 preseason victory over the Buffalo Bills on August 10. But there remains work to do, especially for a group hit by injuries to key players in training camp. The injury bug has not exactly bitten them at defensive tackle.
Starter Andrew Billings missed some practice time but suited up versus Buffalo. Backup Byron Cowart missed Thursday?s session, though, which could be the impetus for their latest signing.
Bears Signing Texas Tech UDFA Jaylon Hutchings to Contract: Report
Insider: Jaylon Hutchings ‘Fully Healthy’ After Torn Meniscus
?#Bears signing former @TexasTechFB defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings, per a league source,? KPRC 2?s Aaron Wilson reported on X on August 11. [Hutchings] went undrafted while recovering fully from a torn meniscus, fully healthy now and former honorable-mention All-Big 12 selection joins NFC North franchise after successful workout.?
The Red Raiders listed Hutchings at 6-foot and 305 pounds. A six-year performer for the Red Raiders, he finished his career with 26 tackles for loss and 11.0 sacks.
He also forced two fumbles, recovered one fumble, and deflected a pass in his tenure.
?The heartbeat of Tech’s defensive line, Hutchings started 57 games and appeared in 62 in his six-year Red Raider career,? the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal?s Nathan Giese wrote in April. ?Hutchings competed in the bench press as the conference’s pro day but was limited as he continued to work back from a knee injury that sidelined him before the Independence Bowl.?
Injuries have been a defining occurrence in Hutchings? career. He was also granted an additional year of eligibility after COVID in 2020.
?Among the most-experienced Red Raiders in school history after appearing in 62 career games with 57 starts,? reads Hutchings? entry on the Red Raiders? team site. ?A mainstay up front throughout his career as his 57 career starts is believed to be the most in school history.?
He joins a line that does not feature a lot of proven depth on the current roster.
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Devin Jackson noted Hutchings “wreaked havoc” on the inside for the Red Raiders during the 2023 season.
#TexasTech EDGE Tyree Wilson shouldn?t be the only one along the DL to get some hype. #TTU IDL Jaylon Hutchings showcases heavy, active hands, first step quickness and wreaked havoc along interior.
Lived in the backfield against OU last season.
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) August 6, 2022
Jaylon Hutchings Could Have Shot to Make Bears
Billings and second-year player Gervon Dexter Sr. will start. Zacch Pickens will round out the heart of the Bears? defensive tackle rotation. But Cowart figures to play a significant role if he can get back on the field and stay healthy.
Former undrafted free agent Michael Dwumfour and undrafted rookie Keith Randolph Jr. back them up. Dwumfour has appeared in 12 games since entering the league with the New York Jets in 2021. Defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker will also see time inside at tackle, as will Montez Sweat on occasion.
But the Bears? depth on the interior of the defensive line is questionable at best.
That could change if Cowart, Dwumfour, and Randolph prove otherwise in the remaining two preseason contests. Adding Hutchings is a low-risk way to hedge against that not happening.
He beat out three other defensive linemen in Daniel Wise, Marquise Copeland, and Joe Gaziano for the roster spot.
Bears Cut RB to Make Room for Jaylon Hutchings
With Hutchings? addition, the Bears needed to make a corresponding move, the unfortunate casualty was running back Demetric Felton, per Wilson.
The Bears signed Felton on July 28.
He appeared in both of the preseason outings. After a solid showing, tallying 14 yards on three carries versus the Houston Texans in the Hall of Fame Game, Felton lost one yard on his lone carry versus the Buffalo Bills. This could also be good news for second-year back Roschon Johnson who has missed multiple practices and has not played in the preseason.