Johnson’s return comes as the Bears prepare for their season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on September 13. He joins two other defensive backs on Chicago’s 16-man practice squad ahead of the game, providing additional depth behind the starting group.
This development followed a notable roster move made a day earlier: the Bears waived Beanie Bishop Jr. with an injury settlement after Bishop impressed with a two-interception performance in the preseason but later sustained a late-camp injury. Bishop had initially joined Chicago amid a suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy; his absence from the active roster in 2026 was accelerated by the injury designation and subsequent placement on injured reserve after going unclaimed on waivers.
In a broader note on Johnson’s background, he was a seventh-round pick for the Packers in 2023 and started four games as a rookie, recording 26 tackles, three pass breakups, and one interception across 14 appearances (including two in the playoffs). His rookie season showcased both his potential and his still-developing consistency, with occasional coverage lapses and tackling gaps. The Packers later addressed their safety depth with veterans and draft picks, which positioned Johnson for a difficult path back to a regular role in Green Bay.
Johnson’s career path also includes time with the New York Giants, who claimed him off waivers after the 2024 roster cuts but used him primarily on special teams. An injury sidelined him for the 2025 season, limiting opportunities to establish himself as a consistent contributor.
The Bears’ latest roster adjustments reflect their ongoing effort to build a versatile defensive backfield capable of adapting to injuries and rotating players as the season progresses. With Johnson on the practice squad, Chicago has added another option at safety and can deploy him as needed during the early weeks of the 2026 season.
Key points:
– Anthony Johnson Jr. re-signed to the Bears’ practice squad (Sept. 10, 2026).
– Johnson originally joined Chicago during OTAs and appeared in three preseason games.
– Beanie Bishop Jr. was waived with an injury settlement after a preseason standout and a late-camp injury; his roster status for 2026 was affected by an earlier suspension.
– The Bears’ season opener is set for September 13 against the Minnesota Vikings.
– Johnson was a 2023 seventh-round pick for the Packers, with four starts and 26 tackles in his rookie year, plus a later career path that included time with the Giants and an injury that limited play in 2025.
This rewrite preserves the factual content about player movements, roster decisions, and upcoming matchup while presenting the information in a clear, publication-ready format without references to the original source.
