Bears let 3 players go to get down to the 85-man roster limit

On Tuesday the Chicago Bears announced that they have released wide out Justin Hardy, and waived/injured defensive back Michael Joseph and linebacker Ledarius Mack, which got the team down to the NFL’s mandated 85-man roster limit.

The veteran Hardy only spent a few weeks with the Bears before being let go, and his removal from the roster leaves Javon Wims, Riley Ridley, Dazz Newsome, Chris Lacy, Jon’Vea Johnson, Marquise Goodwin, Damiere Byrd, and Rodney Adams all fighting for a roster spot behind starters Allen Robinson II and Darnell Mooney.

Joseph broke his hand in the preseason game, so if he clears waivers, he could then revert to the Bears injured reserve list.

Mack, Khalil’s younger brother, was always going to be a long shot to stick around for a second season on the practice squad, and since he was waived with an injury designation he could revert to the Bears as well.

These three cuts get the Bears roster down to 85 players, which includes the newly signed Jason Peters, and Tarik Cohen and Germain Ifedi, both of which are on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list.

Yesterday the team waived offensive lineman Gage Cervenka, wide receiver Jester Weah, and defensive back Dionte Ruffin.

The next NFL cutdown date is Tuesday, August 24m when teams need to part ways with five more players.