LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Bears released fullback Khari Blasingame and waived running back/receiver Velus Jones Jr., the team announced on Friday.

These moves put the Bears under their 53-man roster limit, possibly creating space to activate some players from injured reserve. Running back Travis Homer, defensive lineman Jacob Martin and offensive lineman Larry Borom have all recently had practice windows opened, meaning they could be activated at any time. The Bears could also make a practice squad promotion permanent if they so chose.

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Jones has been a healthy scratch since Week 1, when he muffed a kickoff return and essentially kicked it down field for the Tennessee Titans to easily recover. He was removed from that game, and DeAndre Carter took over as the Bears return man.

Jones got lots of screen time on Hard Knocks, while making a position switch from receiver to running back, but he wasn’t involved at either of those positions this regular season beyond a few touches in the season opener.

The third-round pick from the 2022 draft never found footing in the offensive rotation and the team decided to waive him. If he passes through waivers, he could end up back on the team’s practice squad.

Blasingame dealt with injuries at the start of the season and didn’t regain offensive footing once healthy. The Bears took to using backup center Doug Kramer Jr. in a fullback role — the position isn’t used much in Shane Waldron’s scheme — meaning the position itself was more expendable than in years past.