The Bears on Saturday placed running back Travis Homer on injured reserve and elevated receiver Collin Johnson and defensive end Byron Cowart from the practice squad to the active roster in advance of Sunday's game in Indianapolis.
Coach Matt Eberflus told reporters Friday that Homer underwent surgery to repair a finger injury he sustained Wednesday in practice. Being on IR, the sixth-year pro is required to miss four games, making him eligible to return for the Bears' Week 8 road game Oct. 27 against the Commanders. Homer appeared in the first two contests of the season, rushing for 16 yards on three carries.
Johnson made his season debut in last Sunday night's loss in Houston, playing one snap on offense and six on special teams. The 6-6, 222-pound receiver excelled in the Hall of Fame Game Aug. 1 against the Texans, catching touchdown passes of 20 and nine yards in a 21-17 victory. But the 6-6, 222-pounder missed the rest of the preseason with an injury.
Cowart played 12 snaps in the Bears' season-opening win over the Titans, recording one tackle. He joined the team in March after playing in 36 games with 14 starts over three seasons with the Patriots (2019-20) and Colts (2022), compiling 41 tackles, five tackles-for-loss and 1.0 sack. Cowart spent parts of last year with the Chiefs, Texans and Dolphins but did not appear in a regular-season game.
