Chicago Bears waive former CFL all-star DB Tre Roberson after training injury

Photo Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The Chicago Bears have waived former Calgary Stampeders defensive back Tre Roberson with a non-football injury designation.

Roberson suffered an injury while training for the 2020 NFL season. He signed a two-year contract with Chicago which included a $75,000 signing bonus and $75,000 in guaranteed salary in January.

The Illinois State University product went unselected in the 2016 NFL draft, but he signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings. He made the Vikings practice squad for the 2016 season, but was released prior to the start of the 2017 regular season.

In 2019, Roberson earned CFL all-star honours and was the Stamps nominee for the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player award. He made 16 starts and ranked second in the CFL with seven interceptions.

The 27-year-old scored two touchdowns – one on an interception return and one on a fumble recovery. Roberson also had 12 knockdowns – the third-highest total in the CFL – as well as 41 tackles. In 32 career regular season games over two seasons with Calgary, Roberson has 95 tackles and 10 interceptions.

Calgary released Roberson in order to allow him to pursue NFL opportunities. That prompted an NFL workout tour with stops in San Francisco, Minnesota, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, Tampa Bay, New England, Arizona, New York, Houston and Las Vegas.

Due to the large amount of NFL interest, it’s possible other franchises could claim Roberson on waivers over the next 24 hours. If not Roberson could be out on Chicago’s injured reserve list.