The Bears on Thursday placed receiver N'Keal Harry on injured reserve.
Because they waited until after 3 p.m. (CT) Wednesday, Harry is eligible to return to the active roster after missing the first four games of the season.
The fourth-year pro has been sidelined since injuring his ankle Aug. 6 in practice. He will sit out games against the 49ers, Packers, Texans and Giants.
The Bears acquired Harry July 13 from the Patriots in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round draft pick.
Selected by New England with the 32nd choice in the first round of the 2019 draft out of Arizona State, Harry has appeared in 33 games with 18 starts over three seasons, catching 57 passes for 598 yards and four touchdowns.
His most productive campaign was in 2020 when he had 33 receptions for 309 yards and two TDs. Last year the 6-4, 225-pounder played in 12 games with four starts, catching 12 passes for 184 yards.
Practice squad additions: The Bears on Thursday also filled the final two spots on their practice squad by signing veteran linebacker Joe Thomas and rookie offensive tackle Kellen Diesch.
Thomas was waived by the Bears Tuesday as part of final cuts. He signed with the team March 1 after spending his first seven NFL seasons with the Packers (2015-17), Cowboys (2018-20), Texans (2021) and Ravens (2021).
Appearing in 89 games with 16 starts, Thomas has registered 218 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, 10 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Last season, he played in five games with the Texans before being released Oct. 16. He then joined the Ravens and appeared in two contests.
Diesch was waived by the Dolphins Tuesday. The 6-7, 302-pounder signed with Miami this year as an undrafted free agent from Arizona State, where he was named second team All-Pac 12.
