The Chicago Bears shook up their roster on Tuesday, their first day of preparation ahead of facing the Green Bay Packers in Week 16. It is a short week for the Bears, with the game in primetime on Saturday.
Fittingly, then, the Bears went with a familiar face in Dominique Hampton.
Of course, few moves are made at this part of the season without a corresponding action, and the Bears’ adding Hampton was no different, costing one Pro Bowler his spot on the roster.
Bears Bring Back Dominique Hampton
Dominique Hampton Rejoins Bears’ Practice Squad Roster
Per The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain on December 16, the Bears signed Hampton to their practice squad. It is essentially a reversal of their decision from the beginning of the month. Then, the Bears cut Hampton to re-sign running back Brittain Brown.
Hampton, 25, originally signed with the Bears as a free agent in November before their Week 13 tilt against the Philadelphia Eagles.
He never got in a game during his first stint.
Hampton, who has also been tried at safety, entered the league as the No. 161 overall pick of the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL Draft. He has played in one game during his career, which was with the Commanders. Hampton logged all six of his snaps on special teams.
The Bears are getting healthier at linebacker, with T.J. Edwards already back and Tremaine Edmunds’ 21-day practice window opening this past Monday.
Their depth is battle-tested thanks to filling in for the veteran duo, too.
Whether Hampton gets called up and into a game during his second stint with the Bears, who list him as a linebacker, remains to be seen. However, his familiarity stands out as a likely significant factor in his return, as the Bears’ hand was somewhat forced.
CHI Cuts Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Fishbain and The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, who also reported on Hampton’s return, both also noted the Bears cut linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin to make room. Reeves-Maybin is a former Pro Bowl and Second Team All-Pro special teamer.
He also had familiarity with Bears head coach Ben Johnson.
However, the Bears used all three of Reeves-Maybin’s elevations. They would have needed to sign him to the 53-man roster to dress him for a game again.
That they decided to release him and find another option instead could be an indication of Edmunds’ health. Reeves-Maybin was also strictly a special teamer, of which the Bears have plenty as their core group gets healthy.
Reeves-Maybin was a free agent since last season before signing with the Bears.