Bears place WR Dante Pettis on injured reserve

The Chicago Bears cleared two roster spots Friday and before the Aug. 29 deadline to reach their final 53-man squad.

Wide receiver Dante Pettis was placed on injured reserve. Another wideout, Joe Reed, was waived/injured.

The Bears have placed WR Dante Pettis on IR and waived/injured WR Joe Reed.

— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 25, 2023

Pettis heading to IR greatly increases the chances that Velus Jones Jr. will make the team. The two were battling for punt and kick return duties, and while Jones still has work to do for a final roster spot, Pettis being placed on injured reserve (while bad for Pettis) is good news for Jones.

Pettis ended the 2022 season with 19 catches for 245 yards and three touchdowns.

Reed was a longshot to make the final roster, and with two fewer wide receivers at Halas Hall, the pass-catching group is beginning to crystalize.

DJ Moore is the headliner. Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool will start. Tyler Scott and Equanimeous St. Brown should be safe. That’s five. The Chicago Bears will likely carry six wide receivers on the final roster, making Jones the obvious final choice.

One receiver who could surprise and make the team is Daurice Fountain. He’s been a playmaker during preseason games, and if the Chicago Bears base their decision on what’s happened on the field this summer, Fountain deserves serious consideration.