Bears put returner DeAndre Carter on IR

The Bears put returner DeAndre Carter on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his season.

Carter, who also had nine catches for 72 yards as a wide receiver, left Sunday’s game against the 49ers with a hamstring injury after being hit in the first quarter.

He was replaced on punt returns by cornerback Josh Blackwell and on kick returns by Travis Homer and Darrynton Evans.

The Bears also signed defensive lineman Jonathan Ford off the Packers' practice squad. Ford was a seventh-round pick out of Auburn two years ago and hasn't appeared in a regular season game.

They also signed 28-year-old running back Royce Freeman, who began his career in 2018 with the Broncos. Freeman's last NFL carry came with the Rams last year. He's also played for the Panthers and Texans. He replaces Demetric Felton, who was cut earlier this week.

The Bears play the Vikings on "Monday Night Football."