Bears cut WR Tanner Gentry, hope to get him back on practice squad

By Patrick Finley

Bears wide receiver Tanner Gentry was cut Tuesday. (AP)

Wide receiver Tanner Gentry is heading back to the practice squad — or at least the Bears hope he is.

The team waived the undrafted rookie and training-camp standout Tuesday, two days after he caught two passes for 27 yards on eight offensive snaps and committed a special-teams penalty in his NFL debut against the Buccaneers.

The Bears hope he clears waivers and returns to their practice squad, where he can help with their stunning lack of depth at wide receiver. Starters Cam Meredith and Kevin White are on injured reserve.

Gentry’s demotion likely bodes well for Markus Wheaton, who, after recovering from surgery on his left pinkie, could make his Bears debut Sunday against the Steelers, his former employer.

The Bears promoted special-teamer DeAndre Houston-Carson, a defensive back, from the practice squad to the active roster.

Had they not, they would’ve lost the 2016 sixth-round pick to the Eagles, who, sources said, tried to add him to their 53-man roster.

They also signed defensive lineman Mike Purcell to the practice squad.

Purcell played in 25 games in three years with the 49ers, including one with Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The Rams cut him this month.

Offensive tackle Dieugot Joseph, an undrafted rookie from Florida International, was added to the Ravens’ 53-man roster from the Bears’ practice squad. The Bears also cut practice-squad running back Josh Rounds.

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Email: pfinley@suntimes.com