Checking in with the NFL Bulls

With the preseason ending and the regular season set to kick-off tomorrow night, it’s a good time to check in with former Bulls pursuing their dream in the NFL. With 53-man roster cuts having already occurred and practice squads being pieced together, we finally have some clarity on what these former Bulls will be doing this fall. That said, some of these situations are still fluid with workouts happening, and practice squads not yet finalized.

Khalil Mack - Chicago Bears

Khalil Mack is safe with the Bears. At his current pace the next cut he has to worry about making is the Hall of Fame more than a decade from now.

Demone Harris - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Demone Harris worked his way onto the Bucs 53-man roster after landing on the practice squad last season. In the off-season he shed some weight and made the move from DE to OLB.

His contributions on special teams as well as defense are what gave him the edge on some of his competitors.

Mason Schreck - Cincinnati Bengals

Mason Schreck just lost out on the last TE position on the Bengals 53-man roster, however he was added to the practice squad. An injury to any of the 4 TEs on the active roster could mean a shot at NFL action for Schreck, and the TE depth chart is led by the oft-injured Tyler Eifert who has only played in 43% of potential games since entering the league in 2013.

Cameron Lewis - Buffalo Bills

Cam Lewis landed on the hometown Buffalo Bills practice squad. Lewis impressed early in camp, but had to sit out the last two preseason games while in concussion protocol. As of now Lewis would presumably get the first crack at the 53-man roster should there be an injury in the Bills’ secondary, as the only DB currently on the practice squad. It will be exciting to see what Lewis can do if he gets that call once he’s at full health again.

Tyree Jackson - Buffalo Bills

The other UB alum that was in camp with the Buffalo Bills, Tyree Jackson, didn’t fare as well as Cam Lewis. Jackson’s physical tools allowed him to make some highlight plays in the preseason, but he didn’t show the polish and consistency needed to make the roster or practice squad. Tyree was invited to workout for his hometown Detroit Lions yesterday (9/3), but the Lions opted to sign QB Chad Kanoff instead. It’s likely that Tyree will got a shot somewhere in the future, whether on a practice squad or in the CFL, but for now we’re left to ponder the great “what-if” scenario of what would have happened if Jackson had stayed at UB for one more year.

Anthony Johnson - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jackson wasn’t alone in working out for the Detroit Lions on Tuesday, he worked out alongside his favorite target at UB, Anthony Johnson. After spending camp with the Buccaneers Johnson was cut and not selected for the practice squad. After the workout the Lions signed WR Marvin Hall, so it is unlikely that Johnson gets a shot with the Lions.

Chuck Harris - Chicago Bears

Chuck Harris was cut by the Chicago Bears after spending this off-season in camp with them. However, the Buffalo Bills did work him out on Tuesday.

I have yet to see an update on that workout but we will monitor the situation for any developments.

James O’Hagan - New York Giants

James O’Hagan spent the summer with the New York Giants, and looked solid in camp according to reports, however he was cut from their 53-man roster and didn’t do enough to land a spot on the practice squad.

Honorable Mention:

Drew Anderson - Arizona Cardinals

After being with the Cardinals offseason Drew Anderson stuck on the Cardinals practice squad... for one day. Anderson’s signing was announced on Monday, and by Tuesday he had been released.