Dane

Cruikshank

Cruikshank was considered a long shot to make the roster even after the Falcons signed him earlier this offseason. The veteran safety has turned into a journeyman since being let go by the Titans at the end of the 2021 season. We’ll see if he’s able to catch on with another team now that he’s free to do so.

Cruikshank signed following a veteran tryout at rookie minicamp. A 29-year-old journeyman, Cruikshank probably won’t make the 53-man roster, though he could end up a vet stashed on the practice squad.

Smith didn’t practice all week, but the Bears are still playing him. Meanwhile, CB Jaylon Johnson (quad), a surprise DNP on Friday is out. Also inactive for the Bears are WR Velus Jones (hamstring), S Dane Cruikshank (hamstring), TE Ryan Griffin (Achilles), LB Matt Adams (hamstring), and OL Ja’Tyre Carter. The only interesting name here from a fantasy perspective is Jones, who hasn’t played in any of the first three contests of the season and has barely practiced with a long-term hamstring injury.

The special-teamer checked into the blue medical tent and doesn’t seem close to re-appearing. Cruikshank had 414 defensive snaps last year but doesn’t appear to be in the Chicago rotation at safety in 2022.

Cruikshank, 27 next month, was a stalwart on special teams for the Titans the last four years but ended up seeing heavy usage on defense last season, playing 414 snaps after getting in on just 58 defensive plays the previous three years combined. The Bears will hope to contain Cruikshank to special teams.

The injury is unknown, per ace beat Paul Kuharsky. Cruikshank’s NFL tenure has been littered with injuries through two season, playing a total of 93 snaps.

Cruikshank (6’1/209) turned pro as a redshirt sophomore after starting at cornerback as a freshman and “spur” safety last year, tallying seven career tackles for loss and five interceptions. NFL scouts placed Cruikshank back at corner during January’s East-West Shrine. Cruikshank generated attention at the Combine with 89th-percentile SPARQ results, including 4.41 speed and a twitchy 6.89 three-cone time. A traits-based project, Cruikshank looks like an early-career special teamer with long-term upside for more.

The Titans signed Steven Terrell, suggesting this could be a multi-week injury. With Johnathan Cyprien sidelined, Cruikshank had been getting some starters reps at training camp before going down. His status for the start of the season is in doubt.