The Bears on Wednesday claimed receiver/return specialist DeAndre Carter off waivers from the Texans.
Carter has appeared in 39 NFL games with seven starts in three seasons with the Eagles (2018) and Texans (2018-20). He has recorded 34 receptions for 386 yards and averaged 9.5 yards on 59 punt returns and 21.8 yards on 45 kickoff returns.
The 5-8, 190-pounder entered the NFL in 2015 with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Sacramento State. Carter also spent time with the Raiders (2015), Patriots (2015-16) and 49ers (2017-18), but he didn't appear in an NFL regular season game until the 2018 season opener with the Eagles.
Carter was waived by the Texans Monday after appearing in all nine of their games this season. He has one reception for eight yards and has averaged 8.7 yards on 11 punt returns and 20.8 yards on 12 kickoff returns.
The Bears have already utilized four punt returners this year. Tarik Cohen suffered a season-ending torn ACL in a Week 3 win over the Falcons. Ted Ginn Jr. was waived after averaging just 4.8 yards on five returns. And Dwayne Harris sustained what's believed to be a torn triceps muscle in Monday night's loss to the Vikings.
Anthony Miller excelled after replacing Harris versus Minnesota, returning two punts for 12 and 32 yards. But it's unclear whether Miller will continue in that role given his workload as one of the Bears' top three receivers along with Allen Robinson II and Darnell Mooney.
