With Bears coach Matt Eberflus saying he wants to wait until close to kickoff Sunday night to decide about the availability of Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, the Bears promoted fellow receiver Collin Johnson from the practice squad Saturday and put him on the team flight to Houston.
Allen, who has been nursing a heel injury since last month, and Odunze, who suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee last week, are both listed as questionable. Johnson stood out in the Bears’ first preseason game, catching two touchdowns against the same Texans, before an injury hampered him the rest of camp.
The Bears also announced Saturday they were putting center/guard Ryan Bates, who has been fighting a shoulder injury since before training camp, on injured reserve. Bates, who shared time with right guard Nate Davis in the season opener, will be forced to miss at least four games.
The Bears also promoted long snapper Scott Daly from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.