The Chicago Bears added a trio of players to their roster to start Week 13, per the NFL transaction wire, including former Washington Commanders draft pick Dominique Hampton.
It comes following another slew of injuries in their Week 13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Bears have adopted a “next man up” mentality, a common approach around the NFL, especially at this point in the calendar.
Bears Sign Ex-Commanders LB Dominique Hampton, 2 Others
Domique Hampton, Jeremiah Martin & Qadir Ismail Sign With Bears Practice Squad
Hampton, 25, was the No. 161 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Commanders. A converted safety in college, the 6-foot-3, sub-230-pound Hampton has played in one game in his career. That was last season in Week 18 against the Dallas Cowboys.
He logged six snaps, all on special teams, and did not record a stat. The Commanders released Hampton in August, more than two weeks ahead of the deadline to meet the 53-player limit.
He is the only drafted player among the three that the Bears signed.
“#Bears sign Dominique Hampton, Qadir Ismail, Jeremiah Martin to practice squad, place Nikola Kalinic on practice squad injured list,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported in a post on X on November 24.
Ismail is a 6-foot-6 tight end and the son of former Minnesota Vikings second-round pick (1993) and 2001 Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl champion Qadry Ismail.
The younger Ismail was an undrafted free agent in 2024.
He has not played in the regular season yet, but has spent time with the Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants. Ismail is the tallest receiver on the Bears’ roster, with ex-Giants teammate Miles Boykin and Rome Odunze tied for second at 6-foot-3.
Martin is a third-year defensive end who also lacks regular-season experience, but has spent time with the Giants, missing Boykin and Ismail by several months in New York.
He has also been with the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, and New Orleans Saints.
The Bears’ trio of additions helps bolster their depth amid injuries to players not only like Kalinic, but also defensive end Dominique Robinson (concussion) and four of their top five linebackers, Noah Sewell (elbow), Ruben Hyppolite II, T.J. Edwards, and Tremaine Edmunds.
Edwards has been out since Week 9. He is dealing with, in addition to a fractured hand, his second hamstring issue of the season. The Bears placed Edmunds on IR in Week 12 with a groin injury.
Hyppolite exited Sunday’s win over the Steelers with a shoulder injury and did not return.
Bears Made Offer to Former Texans RB Dameon Pierce: Report
The Bears have found something with their offense, and particularly their rushing attack. However, the Bears were not satisfied with the entire picture.
They set out to improve their group with Dameon Pierce. Unfortunately, the Bears fell short.
“Former #Texans starting running back Dameon Pierce, who’s signing with #Chiefs practice squad, had offers from #Chargers #Broncos #Bears #Eagles #Colts #Bengals along with interest from #Dolphins per #NFL sources,” Wilson reported in a post on X on November 23.
Pierce was a fourth-round selection, taken with the 107th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Texans. He rushed for over 900 yards and had 5 total scores as a rookie.
However, Pierce’s role dwindled as the Texans remade their group around him.
He has 10 carries for 26 yards this season. Pierce’s decision could have been about a different opportunity than playing time, though. The Chiefs will host the Texans in Week 14, potentially allowing him to exact revenge.
The Bears placed running back Roschon Johnson on injured reserve ahead of Week 12. That leaves Brittian Brown and Travis Homer behind D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai.
Brown was signed to the active roster from the practice squad on Saturday, replacing Johnson.
The Bears have no other running backs on their roster. That could change, though, particularly following the Minnesota Vikings’ release of former Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl champion and Houston Texans runner Cam Akers.
There will likely be little addressed by the club about this pursuit. That would constitute commenting on another team’s player. The report is notable, though, given their personnel losses in recent weeks.