The Chicago Bears announced that the club has elevated linebacker Buddy Johnson and running back Zavier Scott from the practice squad for Thursday night's game against the New England Patriots. 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.

Johnson made his first appearance this season in Chicago's Week 6 win over Atlanta. Johnson joined the Bears' 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 34 career regular-season games for the Steelers (2021), Dallas Cowboys (2023-25), Indianapolis Colts (2025) and Bears (2026), 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 has appeared in two games this season for the Bears, logging a forced fumble on kickoff coverage in last week's victory over the Falcons. Scott has secured four special teams tackles over the last four games, the most by any Bears special teams contributor. 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).