The Bears appear to be making a change at punt returner. Saturday, they promoted Dwayne Harris, the veteran they’d signed to the practice squad earlier this week, to the active roster. He’d replace Ted Ginn, who has looked uncomfortable since taking over for the injured Tarik Cohen.
Harris has returned 180 punts in his nine-year career, including one for a 99-yard touchdown in 2018. His 14.1 yards per return average that year, as a member of the Raiders, was the best in the NFL.
Returning punts regularly for the first time since 2017, Ginn has brought out five balls for only 24 yards. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor and head coach Matt Nagy said there were two balls he should have fielded against the Rams he instead let bounce. The Bears started at the 1, 5 and 6 yard lines after downed punts.
A receiver by trade, Harris hasn’t been a significant offensive player in five years. The Bears likely would not have promoted Harris unless he was ticketed for returns.
“If you just know his history, he’s been a good player in this league,” Tabor said on Thursday.
