The Chicago Bears elevated running back Zavier Scott and linebacker Buddy Johnson from the practice squad ahead of Thursday night’s game against the New England Patriots.
Both players are standard gameday elevations under NFL rules and will return to the practice squad once the contest ends.
The 4-2 Bears host the 4-2 Patriots at Soldier Field, with kickoff set for 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video.
Scott’s call-up marks his third consecutive game with the active roster as the team manages injuries in the backfield.
Kyle Monangai, the team’s leading rusher when healthy, has been ruled out for a third straight week with thumb and toe injuries after missing the previous two contests.
Scott has handled 30 snaps on special teams over the past two weeks, offering depth behind D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson while Monangai remains sidelined. He forced a fumble on kickoff coverage during last week’s 31-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons and has recorded four special teams tackles across the last four games, the most among Bears contributors in that span.
In 16 games with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, Scott carried 32 times for 114 yards and added 14 receptions for 98 yards and one touchdown, totaling 212 yards from scrimmage while also contributing on special teams.
An undrafted free agent out of Maine after earlier time at UConn, Scott spent the bulk of his early career on practice squads with the Colts and Vikings before joining Chicago’s practice squad prior to the regular season following training camp in Minnesota.
Johnson’s elevation provides linebacker depth as the Bears navigate injuries at the position heading into the short-week matchup.
He made his first appearance of the 2026 season last week against Atlanta, recording two tackles in the victory.
Jack Sanborn is out with a concussion, while T.J. Edwards is listed as doubtful with a hamstring issue that has limited him in recent days.
A fourth-round pick (140th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021, Johnson has appeared in 34 regular-season games across stints with the Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts and now the Bears, plus two postseason contests with Dallas.
Over his career he has logged 23 special teams tackles, including a career-high 11 with the Colts in 2025, after joining Chicago’s practice squad following training camp with the Las Vegas Raiders.
A Dallas native who played four seasons at Texas A&M and appeared in 47 games for the Aggies, Johnson returns to the Bears after a prior training-camp stint in 2023.
The elevations come as Chicago’s rushing attack, which has averaged high totals when fully healthy, looks to maintain production against a Patriots defense that has been competitive early in the season.
Special teams contributions from both players could prove meaningful on a short week when depth and coverage units often influence field position and momentum.
