The Chicago Bears announced that the club has activated defensive back Kyler Gordon from Reserve/PUP and signed defensive back Nick McCloud to the active roster. In corresponding moves, the Bears have placed defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo on Reserve/Injured and released defensive back Xavier Woods.
Chicago has also elevated linebacker Buddy Johnson and running back Zavier Scott from the practice squad for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. Johnson and Scott are standard practice-squad gameday elevations and, per NFL regulation, will revert back to the club's practice squad after the game.
Gordon appeared in 45 career games (35 starts) with the Bears over his four professional seasons (2022-25), as well as both postseason outings in 2025. Since joining Chicago as a second-round selection (39th overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft, Gordon has totaled five interceptions and 17 passes defended, along with 2.5 sacks, a pair of forced fumbles and 10 tackles for loss. In 2024, Gordon started 13-of-15 outings, registering a career-high and team-best three fumble recoveries, along with a career-best 75 tackles (48 solo), including four tackles for loss. Gordon became one of only two Bears defenders (Urlacher) since the turn of the century to tally multiple tackles for loss and at least five passes defended in each of their first three professional seasons. A native of Mukilteo, Wash., Gordon played four seasons at the University of Washington (2018-21), appearing in 33 games for the Huskies. As a senior in 2021, Gordon earned First-Team All-Pac-12 Conference honors after registering a career-best nine passes defended.
McCloud returned to Chicago in 2026, signing to the club's practice squad prior to Week 3, aiding the Bears in a Week 4 victory over the New York Jets. McCloud has appeared in 64 career regular-season games (20 starts), including 15 appearances (four starts) last season for Chicago. McCloud started in the secondary for the Bears in Chicago's NFC Wild Card Round win over Green Bay last season. Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Bills in 2021, McCloud has also spent time with the San Francisco 49ers (2024), New York Giants (2022-24) and Cincinnati Bengals (2021). Over his career, McCloud has accumulated 110 total tackles (78 solo), 12 passes defensed, one interception, three tackles for loss, including 1.5 sacks, as well as three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Johnson joined Chicago's practice squad prior to the start of the regular season after spending training camp with the Las Vegas Raiders (2026). Since entering the league as a fourth-round selection (140th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Johnson has appeared in 33 career regular-season games for the Steelers (2021), Dallas Cowboys (2023-25) and Indianapolis Colts (2025), adding two postseason appearances during his tenure with the Cowboys in 2023. Over his six NFL seasons, Johnson has recorded 23 special teams tackles, including 11 in 2025 for the Colts, a career-high. Johnson also spent time on San Francisco's practice squad in 2022 and returns to Chicago after participating in training camp with the Bears in 2023. A native of Dallas, Texas, Johnson played four seasons at Texas A&M (2017-20) and appeared in 47 career games for the Aggies.
Scott was elevated in Week 5 for the Bears, primarily contributing on special teams, adding one tackle on kickoff coverage. Scott joined Chicago's practice squad prior to the start of the regular season after spending training camp with the Minnesota Vikings. Entering the league as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, Scott spent a majority of his rookie season on Indianapolis' practice squad before signing to the Vikings' practice squad prior to the start of the 2024 regular season. After spending the entirety of 2024 on Minneapolis' practice squad, Scott appeared in 16 games for the Vikings in 2025. In his 16 appearances for Minnesota last year, Scott rushed for 114 yards on 32 carries, added 14 receptions for 98 yards, and totaled 212 yards from scrimmage, while also contributing on special teams. Scott capped his collegiate career at Maine (2020-22) after three seasons at UConn (2017-19), earning All-Colonial Athletic Association recognition following his final season at Maine (2022).
