Bears Release Peterman, Activate Jenkins for Thursday Night Football

The Chicago Bears made some last minute moves on Thursday before their primetime tilt with the Washington Commanders. Ahead of the action, backup quarterback Nathan Peterman was released. Peterman has been released and re-signed before, so this could be a paper transaction. The reason for his release? Guard Teven Jenkins is returning and the team has activated him to play on Thursday night. 

Jenkins spent the first four weeks of the NFL season on the IR due to duel calf strains. Now, the left guard is fully healthy and ready to improve a Bears offensive line that has already dealt with a number of injuries. Although Braxton Jones is still absent, four of the five intended starters entering the regular season will be active and should be in the starting lineup.

As noted before, Peterman has been released as a paper transaction already this season, only to be re-signed by the team. Perhaps this is another one of those cases with Jenkins' activation. With the move coming so late in the week, the Bears seem content rolling into the game with Justin Fields and Tyson Bagent as their quarterback options. 

The Bears desperately need a win on Thursday. The team is 0-4 and Matt Eberflus' job is seemingly on the line. Although he isn't worried about his job security, the rumors and whispers have been flying around the internet leading up to this game. That said, the team will be without most of their defensive secondary for a second straight week, meaning a victory in Week 5 is likely an uphill battle.

The Bears and Commanders kick off at 7:15 p.m. CDT from the nation's capital. The game can be streamed on Amazon Prime for platform subscribers.