The Bears’ competition behind quarterback Jay Cutler has become more interesting. On Tuesday, the Bears claimed quarterback Zac Dysert off waivers after two years with the Denver Broncos.
A source said that Dysert is expected to play Thursday night in the Bears’ final preseason game against the Browns. With Dysert’s arrival, the Bears waived quarterback Shane Carden, an undrafted rookie.
Dysert has clear connections with the Bears having played for coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase in Denver. Gase is said to be high on Dysert, a seventh-round pick out of Miami of Ohio in 2013.
With scheduled practices over for this week, Dysert doesn’t not have much time to work with his new teammates before facing the Browns. But Dysert is familiar with Gase’s offense and calls. Dysert spent 2013 on the Broncos’ active roster and 2014 on their practice squad.
Dysert also is an intriguing addition because the Bears may need a viable backup for Week 1 against the Packers.
Jimmy Clausen suffered a concussion against the Bengals on Saturday and is going through the league’s protocol. Clausen did not practice Monday or Tuesday.
David Fales, a sixth-round pick in 2014, remains on the roster. Fales missed most of training camp with an illness, but stayed the No. 3 quarterback ahead of Carden.
Dysert also has a local connection. He has trained with Jeff Christensen, the Chicago area quarterbacks coach who has tutored Jimmy Garoppolo (Patriots), Drew Stanton (Cardinals), Kirk Cousins (Redskins), Tom Savage (Texans) and others.
A different feel
The next round of cuts for the Bears will come after Thursday’s game. The roster has to be trimmed to 53 by 3 p.m. Saturday.
“It’s always a weird point in the year, because you aren’t sure who’s going to stay, who’s going to go,” left guard Matt Slauson said. “Shoot, you would have thought [cornerback] Tim Jennings was a lock, and then you look at what happened there. You just never know. It’s kind of a scary time. But it is what it is, and we have to adjust all the time.”
A special loss
Running back Senorise Perry was placed on the reserve/injured list and will miss the rest of the season. Perry injured his left foot against the Bengals on Saturday.
Perry was No. 5 on the depth chart at running back behind Matt Forte, Jacquizz Rodgers, Jeremy Langford and Ka’Deem Carey. But Perry was a valuable special-teamer. He led the Bears in special-teams tackles last season.
The Bears also claimed tight end Gannon Sinclair off waivers, while releasing guard Lucas Nix, who was signed on Aug. 24.
