CHICAGO (AP) -The Chicago Bears have activated cornerback Charles Tillman from the physically unable to perform list, making him eligible to play in the season-opener at Green Bay.
Tillman missed training camp and did not appear in any of the four preseason games after undergoing back surgery. His health is key for a team that struggled against the pass last season and is trying to get back to the playoffs after missing out the past two years.
Besides activating Tillman, the Bears waived 16 players while terminating three veterans' contracts and placing three on injured reserve to reach the 53-man roster limit by Saturday's deadline.
Among the players they waived were wide receiver Brandon Rideau, who failed to make Chicago's season-opening roster for the fourth straight year after losing a competition with Rashied Davis and Devin Aromashodu. Former Northwestern star Brett Basanez also got waived, leaving the Bears with two quarterbacks - Jay Cutler and Caleb Hanie.
The Bears terminated the contract of cornerback Rod Hood after he signed a one-year deal earlier in the week while letting veteran guard Dan Buenning and linebacker Darrell McClover go.
Some of the players released might wind up on the eight-man practice squad, which Chicago can set on Sunday.
While trimming their roster, the Bears placed running back Kevin Jones on injured reserve after he tore ligaments in his left ankle in the preseason-finale against Cleveland on Thursday. Also going on IR were safety Dahna Deleston and defensive end Henry Melton.
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