The Bears are expected to sign receiver/returner Mario Alford, a league source said on Tuesday, and promote practice squad wide receiver Tanner Gentry to the active roster.
Gentry, a training camp star, will try to make up for the loss of Kevin White, who broke his shoulder Sunday. The undrafted rookie from Wyoming had four catches for 77 yards and a 45-yard score during the exhibition season before the Bears waived him. When no one claimed him, the Bears signed him to their practice squad.
The Bears will also promote inside linebacker Jonathan Anderson from the practice squad, sources said, after Jerrell Freeman injured his pectoral muscle Sunday.
It’s unclear if Alford will join the practice squad or the active roster. Alford worked out for the Bears before the season started.
Alford was a teammate of White’s in college at West Virginia. He entered the league as a seventh-round pick for the Bengals in 2015. He played for the Browns last season.
At 5-8 and 180 pounds, Alford doesn’t make up for the loss of White’s size (6-3, 216 pounds), but he could be an option at returner.
Running back Benny Cunningham is dealing with a high-ankle sprain. Receiver Deonte Thompson and rookie running back Tarik Cohen will be needed more on offense.
Alford is fast, running the 40-yard dash in 4.32 and 4.27 seconds at his pro day in 2015.
Last year for the Browns, Alford returned eight punts for 68 yards and eight kickoffs for 190 yards.
