The Chicago Bears brought in former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Julian Hicks for a workout Monday as they look to bolster their receiving group following a recent injury to Luther Burden III.
According to the NFL’s daily transaction report for Aug. 10, the Bears hosted Hicks along with three other players at their facility. The session came just days after Burden sustained a groin injury that is expected to sideline him for a significant portion of the preseason.
Hicks, 28, spent the entire 2024 season on the Packers’ practice squad after signing as an undrafted free agent. He made a limited impression during training camp that year but never saw regular-season action. He was unable to reclaim a practice squad spot heading into 2025 and remained a free agent throughout that season.
Earlier this year, Hicks spent time with the Houston Gamblers of the UFL. He was released during final roster cuts in mid-March and did not make the team’s initial 2026 roster.
The Bears were not the first NFC North club to give Hicks a look this week. The Detroit Lions hosted him for a workout on Aug. 9.
Burden’s injury has created an immediate need for additional bodies at the position. The wide receiver is expected to miss about a month after hurting himself during a high-intensity practice on Aug. 8, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. The hope is that Burden will be ready for the regular-season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 13, but the absence leaves the Bears thinner for the remainder of camp and the preseason games.
Compounding the depth concerns, third-round rookie Zavion Thomas is dealing with a minor knee injury suffered during 7-on-7 drills on Aug. 9. ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported that Thomas “shouldn’t be out long.”
With Burden and Thomas limited, the competition for roster spots and playing time behind Rome Odunze has intensified. Veteran Kalif Raymond appears to hold the early edge for the No. 3 role. That leaves players such as Jahdae Walker, Scotty Miller and Kaden Davis with opportunities to stand out in the coming practices and preseason contests.
The Bears ultimately moved on from Hicks’ tryout by signing another player who worked out the same day. They added veteran wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud to the roster Monday. McCloud has recorded 159 receptions across 100 career games since entering the league in 2018 and has bounced around several teams during his nine NFL seasons.
The signing mirrors a similar move the Bears made on defense earlier in camp. After starting safety Coby Bryant went down with an injury, the team signed veteran Xavier Woods to a one-year deal to provide short-term depth and experience.
In both instances, Chicago has turned to seasoned veterans who may not necessarily stick on the final 53-man roster but can help bridge gaps during training camp and the early part of the season. The approach suggests the organization believes its existing talent can ultimately solve the depth issues, while still giving the new additions a chance to earn roles if they perform well.
To clear a roster spot for McCloud, the Bears waived wide receiver Kyron Hudson with an injury designation. Hudson had been competing for a depth role.
The moves underscore the fluid nature of training camp roster construction as injuries continue to test the Bears’ depth chart at wide receiver. Coaches will continue evaluating the remaining healthy options in the coming days as they prepare for the preseason schedule and work toward having key contributors available by the start of the regular season.
