Stephen Carlson Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Steelers vs Bears game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Nov 10, 2025
Back to practice squad
Carlson reverted to the Bears' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
ANALYSIS
Carlson was elevated to the Bears' active roster Saturday, but he was a healthy scratch for Sunday's game against the Giants after Durham Smythe was cleared to play through a calf injury. It was Carlson's third elevation of the season, which means he would have to be signed to Chicago's active roster in order to continue to play in the Windy City.
Nov 8, 2025
Elevated for Week 10
The Bears elevated Carlson from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.
ANALYSIS
It's the third and final time that Carlson can be elevated from the practice squad by the Bears this season, and he would have to be signed to active roster in order to continue to play for Chicago in 2025. He would serve as the Bears' TE3 behind Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland if Durham Smythe (calf) is unable to play against the Giants on Sunday.
Oct 27, 2025
Back with practice squad
Carlson reverted to the Bears' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
ANALYSIS
Carlson was elevated to the active roster ahead of Sunday's 30-16 loss to the Ravens, failing to record any stats while playing four snaps on offense and seven snaps with the special-teams unit. The tight end finished third in offensive snaps behind Colston Loveland (51) and Durham Smythe (20) at his position, and if Cole Kmet (back) remains out in Week 9, Carlson could be elevated again prior to the team's matchup with the Bengals.
Oct 25, 2025
Elevated Saturday
Carlson was elevated to the Bears' active roster Saturday, Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The 28-year-old's elevation provides Chicago with depth at tight end, as Cole Kmet (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Ravens. Carlson played in the Bears' Week 4 win over the Raiders, failing to record an offensive stat across 15 total snaps (10 on offense, five on special teams). He's likely to have a depth role in Chicago's tight-end corps, playing behind Colston Loveland and Durham Smythe.
Sep 29, 2025
Reverts to practice squad
Carlson reverted to the Bears' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
ANALYSIS
Carlson made his 2025 regular-season debut in the Bears' Week 4 win over the Raiders due to the absence of Colston Loveland (hip). Carlson played a total of 15 snaps (10 on offense, five on special teams) without otherwise showing up on the box score. Loveland will have additional time to recover from his injury thanks to the Week 5 bye, so Carlson will likely remain on the practice squad for the Bears' Week 6 clash against the Commanders on Monday, Oct. 13.
Sep 27, 2025
Elevated Saturday
The Bears elevated Carson from their practice squad to active roster Saturday.
ANALYSIS
With Colston Loveland (hip) expected to miss Chicago's Week 4 matchup against the Raiders, Carlson adds depth to the team's tight end corps. The 28-year-old from Princeton last played for the Bears in 2023, appearing in one game and logging one special-teams snap.
Aug 27, 2025
Back with Bears
Carlson signed to Chicago's practice squad Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
The tight end was released Tuesday after falling short of the Bears' 53-man roster, though he stuck with the team after clearing waivers. Carlson missed the whole 2024 regular season with a collarbone injury and appeared on just one special-teams snap during the 2023 campaign. He last saw extended action in 2019 and '20 with Cleveland, though he only has six career catches for 62 yards.
Aug 26, 2025
Released by Bears
Chicago released Carlson on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Carlson is healthy after having missed all of the 2024 season due to a collarbone injury, but he's now among a number of cuts made by the Bears to get down to a 53-man roster. The 28-year-old will likely look to resurface on a practice squad, whether with the Bears or elsewhere in the league.
Mar 14, 2025
Back in Chicago
The Bears re-signed Carlson (collarbone) on Friday, Brendan Sugrue of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson missed the entire 2024 campaign due to a serious collarbone injury sustained back in September, after having begun the season on the practice squad. He only appeared in one game with Chicago in 2023, playing one snap on special teams. Carlson figures to be fully healthy by the start of training camp, at which point he could get a chance to compete for a greater depth role behind Cole Kmet and Durham Smythe.
Jan 11, 2025
Set for free agency
Carlson (collarbone) was placed on injured reserve on September 28 and didn't play a snap for the Bears in 2024.
ANALYSIS
Carlson has played one special-teams snap over four seasons since posting 333 receiving yards in 2020. The 28-year-old tight end is now an unrestricted free agent.
Sep 28, 2024
Placed on IR with collarbone injury
The Bears placed Carlson (collarbone) on injured reserve Saturday, Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson suffered a serious collarbone injury during Thursday's practice session, just two days after being signed from the Bears' practice squad to the active roster. He'll be forced to miss at least the next four games, so the earliest Carlson could return would be Week 9 against the Cardinals on Nov. 3.
Sep 27, 2024
Out for Week 4
Carlson suffered a serious collarbone injury during Thursday's practice and has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson's injury happed while catching a pass on the final play of Thursday's session, and it sounds like he's looking at a multi-week recovery at the very least. He had just signed with the 53-man roster off the practice squad earlier in the week. Carlson played only one special teams snap for the Bears last season and otherwise hasn't appeared on offense in a regular-season contest since 2020 with Cleveland.
Sep 24, 2024
Moves to active roster
Carlson signed with the Bears' 53-man roster from their practice squad Tuesday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson will take the spot of Travis Homer (finger) on Chicago's active roster. The 27-year-old appeared in one game for the Bears last season, playing a single special teams snap, which was his NFL game action since 2020 with the Browns.
Aug 28, 2024
Sticks around in Windy City
Carlson signed with the Bears' practice squad Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson appeared in one regular-season game for the Bears in 2023 and spent most of the year on the taxi squad. He was gunning for a spot on Chicago's 53-man roster during training camp, but he wasn't able to do so after finishing the preseason with five catches (on six targets) for 36 yards. Carlson could be promoted to the active roster during the upcoming season should Cole Kmet, Gerald Everett or Marcedes Lewis miss time.
Aug 27, 2024
Released by Chicago
The Bears released Carlson on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
The 27-year-old tight end bounced between the practice squad and active roster with Chicago last season but appeared in just one game. He hasn't caught a regular-season pass since 2020 with the Browns and has just six career grabs for 62 yards and one touchdown.
Jan 8, 2024
Gets reserve/future contract
The Bears signed Carlson to a reserve/future contract Monday, Larry Mayer of the team's official website reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson spent most of the season on Chicago's practice squad, but he only saw the field in one game. He played one special teams snap (four percent) in Week 10 versus the Panthers. The 27-year-old will now attempt to put the work in during the offseason to ultimately earn a spot on the Bears' roster in the 2024 campaign.
Nov 10, 2023
Returns to practice squad
Carlson reverted to the Bears' practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transaction log.
ANALYSIS
Carlson's elevation to the active roster prior to Thursday's win over the Panthers led to his first on-the-field action since 2020. However, he ultimately saw the field for just one special teams snap (5 percent). He will now continue working to make an impression at practice.
Nov 9, 2023
Joins active roster
The Bears elevated Carlson to their active roster ahead of Thursday night's game against the Panthers, Larry Mayer of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson has spent the majority of this year on the Bears' practice squad, and his last in-game action came back in 2020 with the Browns. The 26-year-old tight end has appeared in 25 games throughout his two-year NFL career, recording 62 receiving yards and primarily playing on special teams.
Sep 11, 2023
Reverts to practice squad
Carlson reverted back to the Bears' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
ANALYSIS
Carlson was elevated to Chicago's active roster Saturday, but he was ultimately ruled inactive prior to the game. Thus, he will continue looking to impress at practice while awaiting a new opportunity to get called up.
Sep 10, 2023
Won't suit up Week 1
Carlson (coach's decision) was ruled inactive ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers.
ANALYSIS
Carlson was elevated from the practice squad after Chicago listed veteran tight end Robert Tonyan (back) on Saturday's injury report. However, with Tonyan active Sunday, it appears Carlson's services will no longer be needed Week 1. He'll likely continue to serve as the team's go-to option at tight end if tight ends Cole Kmet, Marcedes Lewis and/or Tonyan sustain any injuries over the next few weeks.
Sep 9, 2023
Joins active roster
The Bears have signed Carlson to their active roster ahead of Sunday's Week 1 showdown against the Packers, Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson's addition to Chicago's roster may be hinting at Robert Tonyan's (back) eventual status for Sunday's season opener. As of now, he is one of four tight end's on the roster, so he will be providing depth at the position and presumably a candidate to contribute on special teams.
Aug 30, 2023
Back in Windy City
Carlson is signing with the Bears' practice squad Wednesday, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson was unable to land a spot on the Bears' 53-man roster this year but will attempt to find a role as part of the practice squad. He spent the 2019 and 2020 campaigns with the Browns but has dealt with injuries in recent seasons.
Aug 29, 2023
Gets cut loose
Carlson was waived by the Bears on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson had injuries derail his career after spending 2019 and 2020 with the Browns. The Princeton product was working to bounce back with Chicago after agreeing to a deal with the team in May, but he ultimately came up short.
May 6, 2023
Headed to Chicago
Carlson agreed to a one-year contract with Chicago on Saturday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
The tight end out of Princeton is going from Cleveland to Chicago after signing with the Bears on Saturday. He hasn't played in the NFL since 2020, but in his last two active seasons with Cleveland, he recorded six catches for 62 yards and one touchdown while acting as a special teams ace, playing over 80 percent of the special team's snaps. This is the third tight end Chicago has brought in this offseason, luring Robert Tonyan away from Green Bay and signing Damien Caffrey as an undrafted free agent.
May 6, 2023
Headed to Chicago
Carlson agreed to a one-year contract with Chicago on Saturday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
The tight end out of Princeton is going from Cleveland to Chicago after signing with the Bears on Saturday. He hasn't played in the NFL since 2020, but in his last two active seasons with Cleveland he recorded six catches for 62 yards and one touchdown while acting as a special teams ace, playing over 80 percent of the special teams snaps. This is the third tight end Chicago has brought in this offseason, as the team also lured Robert Tonyan away from Green Bay and signed Damien Caffrey as an undrafted free agent.
Jun 6, 2022
Cleared to return
Carlson will work out with the Giants on Monday after being officially cleared to return to football activities, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
The UDFA from Princeton saw just nine targets in his first two years in the league before a torn ACL suffered during a preseason game forced him to miss the entire 2021 season. Carlson is still looking for another opportunity after Cleveland opted not to retain him for the 2022 campaign, but at least now he has a clean bill of health working in his favor.
Mar 17, 2022
Not tendered by Cleveland
Carlson (knee) became an unrestricted free agent Wednesday after the Browns opted not to tender him a contract for 2022, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson sat out the 2021 campaign after requiring season-ending knee surgery in late August. He appeared in all 16 games during 2020 and caught one pass for 11 yards.
Dec 16, 2021
Reverts to IR
Carlson (knee) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Carlson will now be able to rejoin the team, but he'll remain on injured reserve after he underwent season-ending knee surgery in mid-August. The 25-year-old had a strong performance in camp and could compete for a 53-man roster spot in 2022.
Dec 6, 2021
Placed on COVID-19 list
Carlson (knee) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday.
ANALYSIS
It's not yet clear whether Carlson has tested positive for the virus or whether he's considered a close contact. However, Monday's move doesn't impact the 24-year-old's status since he underwent season-ending knee surgery in mid-August.
Aug 17, 2021
Requires knee surgery
Carlson will undergo surgery on his knee and miss the entire 2021 season, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson suffered the injury during Saturday's preseason opener versus the Jaguars, and there will be no chance of him retaking the field this season. He appeared in 16 games for Cleveland last year and caught one of two targets for 11 yards while primarily playing special teams.
Aug 16, 2021
Placed on IR
The Browns placed Carlson (knee) on injured reserve Monday, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson suffered a season-ending knee injury in Sunday's preseason opener against the Jags, rendering this move more of a formality. Prior to the injury, he was enjoying a strong camp and considered a strong candidate to make Cleveland's 53-man roster.
Aug 15, 2021
Season-ending injury feared
There are fears that Carlson suffered a season-ending knee injury in Saturday's preseason opener against Jacksonville, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The severity of Carlson's knee injury hasn't been confirmed yet, but it sounds like he'll be facing a lengthy absence. This is an unfortunate turn of events for the tight end, who had been enjoying a strong camp and was on track to secure a spot on the Browns' 53-man roster.
Aug 14, 2021
Exits game with knee injury
Carlson (knee) left the Browns' preseason game against the Jaguars and is officially out for the remainder of the game, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson hurt his knee on a bobbled catch he made in the first half of the game. The third-year tight end played in all 16 games for the Browns last season, primarily on special teams, and as long as his injury isn't serious his contributions to special teams should give him a good chance at making the roster.
Apr 14, 2021
Sticking with Cleveland
Carlson signed his tender as an exclusive rights free agent with the Browns on Wednesday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson returns to a crowded tight end room, one which currently features Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant and David Njoku at the top of the pecking order. It seems unlikely that he'll garner any larger a depth role than he served in Cleveland over the last two seasons, when he caught six of nine targets for 62 yards and one score in 25 appearances.
Mar 5, 2021
Tendered rights
The Browns tendered exclusive rights with Carlson on Friday, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson entered the offseason as an exclusive rights free agent and will now stay in Cleveland. Through his two seasons with the team, the tight end has caught six of his nine targets for 62 yards and one touchdown.
Jan 18, 2021
Unused on offense in playoff loss
Carlson was active but did not play an offensive snap in Sunday's 22-17 playoff loss to the Chiefs.
ANALYSIS
Carlson had just one catch, two targets and 11 receiving yards during the regular season, serving has the fourth tight end. With the top three tight ends under contract for 2021, Carlson will play a similar role should Cleveland bring him back. He becomes an exclusive rights free agent during the offseason.
Jan 17, 2021
Gearing up Sunday
Carlson (groin) will play in Sunday's AFC divisional round against the Chiefs.
ANALYSIS
Austin Hooper, Harrison Bryant and David Njoku are all healthy for Sunday's playoff game, so Carlson will mainly contribute on special teams.
Jan 15, 2021
Questionable for Sunday
Carlson (groin) did not practice Friday and is questionable for Sunday's AFC divisional-round game against the Chiefs, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson appears truly iffy for Sunday's game, but his presence likely won't impact Cleveland's offense one way or another. He saw just two targets through 16 regular-season games in 2020, and both Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant are set for Sunday while No.3 tight end David Njoku (hamstring) is questionable.
Nov 30, 2020
Makes first catch
Carlson caught his lone target for 11 yards in Sunday's 27-25 win over Jacksonville.
ANALYSIS
Carlson is the seldom-used fourth tight end on the Browns' roster. The catch was his first of the season and the target just his second.
Sep 15, 2020
Moves up depth chart
Carlson is expected to receive more playing time with David Njoku (knee) on injured reserve, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson played just 12 snaps (16 percent) and had one target in the season-opening loss to the Ravens, but moves up to third on the depth chart behind Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant. He broadly fits into the category of blocking tight end, but quarterback Baker Mayfield has used tight ends as red-zone scoring options.
Dec 6, 2019
Upgrades to full practice
Carlson (ankle) was a full participant in Friday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's contest against the Bengals. The 22-year-old is set for his usual depth role in Cleveland's tight end corps Week 14.
Dec 4, 2019
Practice status limited
Carlson (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
ANALYSIS
Carlson has recorded four receptions for 46 yards over the last three weeks, so if he's unable to play Sunday against the Bengals, it will mainly affect the team's run-blocking schemes. The 22-year-old still has two practice sessions to elevate to full capacity.
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