Bears’ roster cuts claim Palmer, Webb, Allen
Jordan Palmer’s impressive performance on short notice Thursday night wasn’t enough to earn him a spot on the Bears’ 53-man roster.
Palmer, however, will likely be the first person general manager Phil Emery calls if Jay Cutler or backup Josh McCown suffer an injury.
Early Friday morning, Palmer tweeted the club released him: “I really appreciate all the kind words from the #Bears fans, but I’m headed home today. Crazy biz but appreciative.”
NFL teams must trim their roster to 53 by 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Bears’ cuts on Friday included embattled offensive tackle J’Marcus Webb. The club also waived veteran quarterback Trent Edwards, who played the second half vs. Cleveland, a sign the Bears likely will keep just two quarterbacks on the roster, as they did to start the 2012 season.
The Bears probably will add a developmental quarterback to the practice squad to replace Matt Blanchard, who received an injury settlement after fracturing a knuckle on his left hand.
Palmer’s 11-for-17 performance for 111 yards in the 18-16 loss to the Browns Thursday night also put him on the radar of every NFL team that might need an emergency fill-in this season.
“Jordan moved the team,” Bears coach Marc Trestman said after Palmer led a starting lineup of backups to 10 first-half points. “Overall, I thought he played well.”
Palmer has never started an NFL game, but he played in four games as a backup for three years for Cincinnati and also spent time briefly with the Jacksonville last season. He had just 12 days to prepare for Thursday night’s start, and made the most of it.
“I’ve prepared for this game as much as I’ve ever prepared for a game,” he said afterward, adding that he would welcome a return to the Bears. “I’ll remain in great shape. I’ll make good decisions. That’s where I want to hang my hat. That’s my selling point.”
Like Palmer, the beleaguered Webb also announced his departure via twitter. Webb tweeted: “Good bye, Chicago! I gave you three years of me.”
And that apparently was enough for Trestman and Emery. Webb started all 32 games over the previous two seasons at left tackle. But his inconsistency was maddening, most notably to Cutler, who lambasted him on the sideline during a game last season.
Webb did not look any better Thursday than he did earlier in the preseason when he was demoted from starting right tackle in favor of rookie Jordan Mills.
One of the toughest cuts was Notre Dame running back Armando Allen, who played in 15 Bears games last season and averaged 4.6 yards on 27 carries and had 7 special teams tackles. Michael Ford, an undrafted rookie from LSU, outplayed Allen, who missed the two preseason games with a hamstring injury.
The 5-foot-10, 216-pound Ford also has a size advantage on the 5-8, 190-pound Allen, and Ford averaged 33.5 yards on 11 kickoff returns, including a 100-yarder.
Other cuts included two safeties, Hersey grad Tom Nelson of Arlington Heights, and Brandon Hardin, a third-round pick in 2012 who has battled injuries. Tight end Fendi Onobun, who played basketball for four years at Arizona before switching to football, also missed the cut.
Hardin, who was the third player selected by Emery in 2012, tweeted: “It’s not a journey without a few speed bumps & detours. Thanks for the support #Bears fans. Trying to stay positive!”
Hardin reportedly suffered a fractured clavicle Thursday night, and is a candidate for an injury settlement or a spot on injured reserve, where he spent last season.
Other early cuts include veteran guard-center Edwin Williams, who played in 26 games and started 10 for the Bears in three seasons; undrafted rookie wide receiver Josh Lenz, who had a 40-yard reception vs. the Browns; linebacker Jerry Franklin; wide receiver Brittan Golden; and long-snapper Brandon Hartson. Guard Derek Dennis was also waived, along with cornerback Demontre Hurst, defensive tackle Christian Tupou, running back Harvey Unga and defensive ends Aston Whiteside and Josh Williams.
Backup offensive tackle Cory Brandon, who was injured late in Thursday night’s preseason game, will have surgery next week to repair a fractured fibula. He also suffered ankle ligament damage. The first-year player from Oklahoma will either go on injured reserve or reach an injury settlement with the Bears.
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Bears roster cuts
The Bears cut the following players Friday. NFL teams must trim rosters to 53 players by 5 p.m. Saturday.
<b>Offense</b>
RB Armando Allen
QB Trent Edwards
OT Cory Brandon (injured reserve)
OG Derek Dennis
WR Brittan Golden
WR Josh Lenz
TE Fendi Onobun
QB Jordan Palmer
RB Harvey Unga
OT JMarcus Webb
OG-C Edwin Williams
<b>Defense</b>
LB Jerry Franklin
S Brandon Hardin (injured reserve)
CB Demontre Hurst
S Tom Nelson
DT Christian Tupou
DE Aston Whiteside
DE Josh Williams
<b>Special teams</b>
LS Brandon Hartson
Note: Hardin and Brandon can be placed on injured reserve or accept an injury settlement. Hardin is eligible for the practice squad.