The Bears traded Tuesday for Jakeem Grant, a second-team All-Pro punt returner with the Dolphins last season. A source confirmed the Bears are giving up a 2023 sixth-round pick in the trade, which is pending Grant’s passing a physical.
He’ll return punts and kicks. Khalil Herbert, previously the Bears’ kick returner, is now set to help out in the backfield with David Montgomery injured.
In six seasons with the Dolphins, Grant averaged 24.8 yards per kick return over 89 returns, bringing two back for touchdowns. He has scored three touchdowns on 101 career punt returns, averaging 9.7 yards per return.
Shortly after making the trade, the Bears cut Nsimba Webster, who returned four punts for 13 yards this season.
Running back Tarik Cohen has been out more than a year since tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament while returning a punt against the Falcons. He’s on the physically unable-to-perform list and doesn’t appear close to returning.
Grant, in addition to returns, also could play a small role in the passing game. He had two catches for the Dolphins this year for minus-7 yards, but he has 91 career catches for 1,001 yards and five touchdowns. The Bears have gotten little production outside their top two receivers; Marquise Goodwin has five catches, Damiere Byrd three. Grant doesn’t seem to be a serious threat to either of their jobs.
The Bears also cut practice-squad linebacker Rashad Smith on Tuesday.
