Bears place WR N’Keal Harry on injured reserve

Chicago Bears wide receiver N’Keal Harry was placed on injured reserve Thursday in a move that was expected in the days leading up to the 53-man roster deadline.

Timing mattered most for Harry’s IR designation. By placing the former first-round pick on injured reserve Thursday, the Bears have the option of elevating him to the active roster after four weeks of the 2022 regular season.

The Bears placed WR N’Keal Harry on injured reserve. He’ll be eligible to return after the first four games. They also signed OL Kellen Diesch and LB Joe Thomas to the practice squad.

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) September 1, 2022

The Chicago Bears traded for Harry in July in an effort to add more size and physicality to their wide receiver room. He suffered an ankle injury that required tightrope surgery, making his timetable to return still somewhat unknown. There’s hope he’ll be healthy enough to contribute to the passing game this season.

Since entering the league in 2019, N’Keal Harry’s totaled 57 catches for 598 yards and four touchdowns. The Bears acquired Harry for a 2024 seventh-round pick.