Bears promote Collin Johnson to active roster, add Hard Knocks star to practice squad

The Chicago Bears had a busy Wednesday on the transaction wire. They promoted wide receiver and preseason superstar Collin Johnson to the active roster and signed Hard Knocks fan-favorite Adrian Colbert to the practice squad.

The Bears signed WR Collin Johnson to the active roster and brought S Adrian Colbert back to the practice squad.

— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) November 20, 2024

Johnson exploded onto the summer scene during this year’s Hall of Fame game, when he totaled three catches for 56 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately, he didn’t make much noise after that and was a victim of final cuts. He’s hung around on the practice squad and, with seven games remaining in the regular season, has a chance to make a positive impression on the coaching staff.

Johnson entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was waived by the Jaguars in 2021 and spent the next two years with the New York Giants before signing with Chicago in October 2023.

Meanwhile, Colbert became a viral star during “Hard Knocks” because of his unique personality, incredible backstory, and the very human moment when Ryan Poles was brought to tears when he told Colbert he was being released:

#Bears GM Ryan Poles became very emotional when he had to inform Adrian Colbert that he was being cut.

As a kid, Colbert was hit by a car going 55 mph, leaving him in a coma for two weeks and being told he’d never play football again. He defied the odds.pic.twitter.com/18QPi8R5Ru

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 4, 2024

Colbert was a seventh-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 and is the definition of a journeyman player. Including the Bears, he’s signed contracts with 10 NFL teams during his eight years in the league.

Adding Colbert became necessary insurance after the Chicago Bears placed Jaquan Brisker on injured reserve and his primary backup, Elijah Hicks, suffered an ankle injury in Week 11’s loss to the Packers.