The Bears have a second player opting out because of coronavirus concerns: safety Jordan Lucas, whom they signed to a one-year deal, $1 million deal in March.
The team put Lucas on the Reserve/Opt-out list Monday after doing the same last week with standout nose tackle Eddie Goldman.
The Bears hoped Lucas, a champion with the Chiefs, would be a contributor on special teams. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor was particularly intrigued by his speed and versatility.
Lucas was asked in June what it’d take for him to feel safe inside Halas Hall.
“For me? I feel like everyone taking it seriously,” he said. “That’s just around the world, which I know is not gonna happen right now. Because you see people going out, still partying, this and that. All this media coverage of the [George Floyd-related] protests, but a lot of people are forgetting about coronavirus still. It’s a real thing. It’s still killing. It’s still affecting a lot of people.
“I’ve been taking it serious as far as the quarantine going, my family has. And really I’m just, less worried about me, more worried about my son and my wife. So we’re just trying to stay as safe as possible.”
General manager Ryan Pace claimed last week he wasn’t aware of any players — other than Goldman — planning to opt out.
Also Monday, the Bears activated tight end Eric Saubert and nose tackle John Jenkins from the Reserve/COVID-19 list. They were put on the list after either testing positive or being near someone who was.
The Bears cut offensive lineman Dino Boyd to get their roster down to 80 players.
