The Chicago Bears seemed to actually have an idea of what they had when they signed Tarik Cohen to a long-term extension. They also knew what they lost when he tore his ACL and was lost for the season. Not only was one of their critical spark plugs on offense gone, but so was their primary punt returner.
Thus far they’ve failed to fill the void at either spot. Their solution to the returner issue though was likely their worst decision. Rather than experiment with some younger options with plenty to prove, the Bears made the unusual choice to plug 35-year old Ted Ginn Jr. back there. This despite not having returned punts effectively in years.
It took two games for the team to realize why.
Ginn couldn’t have looked less interested in attempting a return if he tried. The game in Los Angeles against the Rams was the low point. Three different times his failure to even field a punt for a fair catch resulted in the Bears being pinned inside their own 10-yard line. Head coach Matt Nagy, who is never critical in public of his players, took a bit of a snipe at Ginn’s unwillingness to catch a couple of those balls.
It appears he’s seen enough. Ginn will likely not be the one returning punts for much longer. The Bears announced on Tuesday that they’d come to terms with veteran special teams ace Dwayne Harris. A man with extensive returning experience including a Pro Bowl in 2016.
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We have signed receiver/return specialist Dwayne Harris to our practice squad & released DT Terry Beckner.@Hyundai | #DaBears
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 27, 2020
Chicago Bears right to take a risk on Harris
Now Harris is no spring chicken himself. He’s 33-years old and hasn’t played football in over a year. Last season ended early for him due to injuries. Since then he hasn’t managed to crack a roster. He came close in Houston back in October but was eventually released. Chicago represents easily his best chance to see the field again.
How much juice does he have left? There’s no way to know until he sees action. The Bears seemed to like enough of what they saw in the tryout. When Harris was last returning punts in 2018 for the Raiders, he averaged 14.1 yards per return including a 99-yarder. So he has the speed and vision necessary to make some things happen.
One also should not discount his value elsewhere on special teams. The guy has proven to be a capable gunner in coverage as well. Given the ongoing health issues with Sherrick McManis, it’ll be nice to have that veteran presence in the third phase alongside Cordarrelle Patterson and others.
Odds are Harris won’t stay on the practice squad long. Once he’s through the COVID-19 protocol, the Bears should look to elevate him to the active roster. It could be as soon as the game against Tennessee next week. As for Ginn? It’s fair to wonder if his time in Chicago is coming to an end. With no further use in the return game, it makes little sense to keep him around since he isn’t helping the offense either.