The Bears on Tuesday activated receiver/punt returner DeAndre Carter from the reserve/COVID-19 list, signed running back Spencer Ware to the practice squad and returned receiver Thomas Ives to the practice squad from the COVID-19 list.
Carter was claimed by the Bears off waivers from the Texans Nov. 18 and appeared in two games, returning one punt for five yards. He was placed on the COVID-19 list Dec. 10. The new roster designation was created this year for players who either test positive for COVID-19 or who have been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person.
Carter became the fifth punt returner the Bears have utilized 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. Dwayne Harris was lost for the season with a triceps injury in a Week 10 loss to the Vikings. Anthony Miller excelled after replacing Harris versus Minnesota, returning two punts for 12 and 32 yards. But the Bears claimed Carter two days later and employed him in that role.
Prior to arriving in Chicago, Carter had appeared in 39 NFL games with seven starts in three seasons with the Eagles (2018) and Texans (2018-20). He recorded 34 receptions for 386 yards and averaged 9.5 yards on 59 punt returns and 21.8 yards on 45 kickoff returns.
Ware has played in 43 NFL games with 19 starts over five seasons with the Seahawks (2013) and Chiefs (2015-19). He has rushed for 1,631 yards and 11 touchdowns on 357 carries and caught 64 passes for 698 yards and two TDs. The LSU product has won two Super Bowl rings, with the Seahawks in 2013 and the Chiefs last year.
Ware's most productive season came in 2016 with the Chiefs when Bears coach Matt Nagy was Kansas City's offensive coordinator. Ware started all 14 games he played, rushing for 921 yards and three touchdowns on 214 carries and catching 33 passes for 447 yards and two TDs.
After missing the entire 2017 season with a knee injury he sustained in a preseason game, Ware returned to rush for 246 yards and 2 TDs on 51 carries and catch 20 passes for 224 yards with the Chiefs in 2018.
Ware signed with the Colts in 2019, but suffered an ankle injury and was released without appearing in a game. He rejoined the Chiefs late in the season, playing in three contests before being placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury—but he still won his second Super Bowl ring.
