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Carlson Returns To Chicago’s 53-Man Roster

Chicago Bears tight end Stephen Carlson comes onto the field before an NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 22 in Kansas City, Mo. AP photo

Stephen Carlson figured he would end up being added to Chicago’s active roster at some point during this NFL season, but the Bears’ tight end admitted he was “surprised” when he received word from his agent Tuesday afternoon that the promotion was indeed happening this week.

“I was figuring it would have to be a tight end injury to get active,” the Jamestown native told The Post-Journal in a phone interview Wednesday night. “Shane (Costa) called me and explained it to me to the best of his knowledge.

“They definitely have respect for me around here, just the way I go about things and my work ethic. I think that is partly what went into the decision, just to put me active. I think they put a couple guys on (injured reserve) so they had some spots (on the 53-man roster). I don’t know if there was necessarily like a direct need for me to fill in, but I think how they view me they figure he’s a guy we want there.”

As for what his role will be Sunday when Chicago takes on the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field is unclear.

“I’m not 100 percent sure still,” Carlson said. “I’m taking reps everywhere, mixing in on special teams and mixing in on offense, so I think it will be an end-of-week kind of decision whether I’m dressing or not.”

Whatever the case, Carlson is happy to be with the Bears (1-2), who are coming off a 21-16 road loss to Indianapolis.

“I appreciate all the guys, and I love this tight end room,” he said.

A member of the practice squad for Chicago’s first three games this season, Carlson is now fourth on the tight end depth chart behind Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett and Marcedes Lewis.

“The special teams coordinator told me that he’s confident that if I’m up, I can fill in wherever, and I know my tight ends coach has the same confidence,” Carlson said. “I think all the tight ends will be a healthy full-go this weekend, so we’ll see. … I’m not going to be surprised either way.”

A 2015 Jamestown High School and a 2019 Princeton University graduate, Carlson has 26 games of playing experience under his belt, including seven starts with Cleveland from 2019-2020. He played one regular-season game for the Bears in 2023, but made no catches and registered one special teams snap.

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