Bear release punt return specialist Ted Ginn Jr.
The Bears said Wednesday they have released veteran receiver and punt return specialist Ted Ginn Jr.
The Bears brought in Ginn as a free agent over the offseason. The 14th-year veteran saw limited action on offense in the Bears' first eight games of 2020. He took over punt return duties following Tarik Cohen's season-ending ACL injury in Week 3.
Matt Nagy and the Bears coaching staff appeared to lose confidence in Ginn as a punt returner following a dismal performance against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7, during which Ginn failed to field any of the five punts sent his way.
The Bears signed free agent return specialist Dwayne Harris last week after the Rams game and activated Harris for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. They subsequently designated Ginn inactive on Sunday. Harris ran back a 12-yard punt return on his first chance and totaled 17 yards on three punt returns.
In his brief stint with the Bears, Ginn caught three passes for 40 yards and averaged 4.8 yards per return on five punts.
The Bears are already without receiver Javon Wims for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans. The NFL handed Wims a two-game suspension after he threw punches at Saints' safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in Sunday's overtime loss.
With Wims out and Ginn gone, it's looking increasingly likely that second-year receiver Riley Ridley could be activated for Sunday's game in Tennessee. Ridley has been on the 53-man roster all season, but has been designated as inactive in each of the first eight games.
Harris, while technically listed as a receiver, is likely not a viable option at the position. He has caught just eight passes over the last four-plus seasons.
The Bears drafted Ridley - the brother of Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley - in the fourth round (126th overall) in the 2019 draft. Riley Ridley appeared in five games with the Bears as a rookie in 2019, catching six passes for 69 yards. He had a season-high three catches for 54 yards in the season finale against the Minnesota Vikings last season.