CHRIS THOMPSON NEWS

Links up with Chicago Thompson was signed to the Bears' practice squad Tuesday, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Thompson had a tryout with the Bears on Monday, and he apparently showcased himself well enough to nab a spot on the practice squad. Chicago is dealing with some issues at running back, with David Montgomery (knee) on injured reserve and Damien Williams (illness) caught up in the COVID-19 protocols. Khalil Herbert and Ryan Nall are currently the only available tailbacks on the active roster, so Thompson could receive a promotion if Williams is unable to rejoin the team soon.

OCTOBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

No future in Jacksonville? The Jaguars may look for a new third-down back to replace Thompson (back) this offseason, Garry Smits of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Impact Thompson signed a one-year contract last offseason and played in eight games before a back injury sent him to injured reserve. He finished with only seven carries for 20 yards and a 20/146/1 receiving line, while starting RB James Robinson piled up 1,070 rushing yards, 344 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns. The Jags may want a third-down specialist to help lighten Robinson's workload in 2021, but the 30-year-old Thompson isn't likely to be that guy. After missing five or more games for a fourth consecutive year, Thompson could have trouble finding work even if his back injury heals before the start of free agency.

JANUARY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to IR The Jaguars placed Thompson (back) on injured reserve Monday, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Impact Thompson suffered a back injury during Sunday's loss to the Packers, and while the team hasn't provided injury details, he'll require at least three weeks to recover. This should open the door for Devine Ozigbo (hamstring) and Dare Ogunbowale to contribute in the passing game moving forward, but James Robinson still is the bell cow, as he's handled 86.8 percent of the running back touches this year.

NOVEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Jags on verge of tying another franchise record for futility

The previous time the Jacksonville Jaguars lost nine consecutive games, owner Shad Khan fired coach Gus Bradley before they left the stadium

NOVEMBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Packers struggle to put away Jags, get by with 24-20 win

Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score as the Green Bay Packers rallied for a 24-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dealing with new issue Thompson has been cleared from concussion evaluation, but remains questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Packers due to a back injury.

Impact Thompson exited the game in the first quarter, despite clearing concussion protocol, he's still not healthy enough to return. With Thompson still sidelined, Dare Ogunbowale will continue to handle the depth running back role behind James Robinson in Sunday's game.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Exits contest Sunday Thompson left Sunday's game against the Packers and is being evaluated for a concussion.

Impact Thompson was forced to leave the game following the team's first drive, so he'll need to be cleared by the NFL's independent doctors to return to action. As long as he's sidelined, expect Dare Ogunbowale to take over the depth running back role behind James Robinson in Sunday's game.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Totals 38 yards Thompson rushed once for three yards and caught all four of his targets for 35 yards during Sunday's 27-25 loss to the Texans.

Impact Rookie James Robinson continues to dominate the backfield work for Jacksonville, and he had a career-high 25 carries during Sunday's contest. Thompson played 19 offensive snaps and totaled exactly 35 receiving yards for the third time this season. The veteran continues to work in a passing-down role, and his fantasy prospects remain inconsequential while Robinson is the clear No. 1 back.

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lifted from COVID list The Jaguars activated Thompson (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Thompson returned to the team facilities Tuesday after clearing the necessary protocols, and now he's officially back on the 53-man roster. The Jaguars have a Week 8 bye, but Thompson is expected to be back in the lineup Week 9 against the Texans. The 30-year-old running back will continue to operate in a change-of-pace role behind rookie James Robinson.

OCTOBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Back at facility Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said Tuesday that Thompson (illness) has been cleared to return to the team facility, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Impact The fact that Thompson is back with the team suggests that he's cleared all health-related protocols since landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday. Jacksonville has yet to formally reinstate Thompson to the 53-man roster, but that should happen before the team's next game Nov. 8 versus the Texans. Once activated, expect Thompson to return to a low-usage change-of-pace role behind top running back James Robinson.

OCTOBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on COVID-19 list The Jaguars placed Thompson on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Impact Thompson has either tested positive for the virus or come into close contact with an infected person. Either way, he won't suit up for Sunday's game versus the Chargers, and he'll aim to return following the team's Week 8 bye. James Robinson has been the clear lead back for Jacksonville this season, but now Devine Ozigbo -- who was lifted from IR on Saturday -- could have a role along with Dare Ogunbowale.

OCTOBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Jaguars place veteran RB Chris Thompson on COVID-19 list

The Jacksonville Jaguars placed veteran running back Chris Thompson on the COVID-19 list Saturday

OCTOBER 24, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Catches three passes Thompson caught three of four targets for 15 yards during Sunday's 34-16 loss to the Lions.

Impact The 29-year-old didn't have a rushing attempt and played 20 offensive snaps compared to starter James Robinson's 44 snaps. Thompson has exceeded 40 total yards in only one game with one touchdown this season, and his fantasy value remains limited in his current role

OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Totals 42 yards Thompson rushed the ball twice for seven yards in the team's Week 5 loss to the Texans. He added three receptions for 35 yards.

Impact Thompson was hardly a part of the team's rushing attack, accounting for just two of the 15 rushing attempts accounted for by the backfield. However, he did manage more impact in the passing game, finishing third on the team with 35 yards through the air. This was the first game that Thompson has surpassed 40 total yards, and he remains clearly behind James Robinson in the offensive pecking order.

OCTOBER 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Diminishing offensive role Thompson did not receive a carry and wasn't targeted in Sunday's 33-25 loss at Cincinnati.

Impact The 29-year-old played 40-plus percent of offensive snaps the previous two weeks with the Jaguars in a negative-game script, but he played only 16 of 68 snaps Sunday despite a similar game flow. James Robinson was previously mostly limited to early-down work, but he dominated the backfield reps during Week 4. Thompson has four carries for 10 yards and 10 receptions for 61 yards and one touchdown through four games, but he may have an even smaller offensive role going forward.

OCTOBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Washington hopes for big things from new-look backfield

Washington replaced its entire backfield from last season

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Splits backfield snaps Thompson rushed twice for three yards and caught five of six targets for 35 yards during Thursday's 31-13 loss to the Dolphins.

Impact The veteran back and rookie James Robinson both played 30 offensive snaps during the loss, though you'd never realize based on each player's production, as Robinson had 11 carries for 46 yards and two touchdowns while catching six passes for 83 yards. The playing time clearly is there for Thompson as he's played 31 and 30 offensive snaps the past two weeks, but his 65 scrimmage yards on 12 touches better illustrates his involvement in the offense. The 29-year-old is seeing plenty of snaps in the passing-down role, but to this point Robinson is the only back on the team providing much production.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Hauls in touchdown Thompson rushed twice for seven yards and caught three of four targets for 20 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 33-30 loss to Tennessee.

Impact The veteran back caught a 14-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to tie the game 30-30, but his other six touches amounted to only 13 combined yards. Thompson has had a minor role as Jacksonville's pass-catching back, but even with QB Gardner Minshew attempting 45 passes, he wasn't a consistent factor in the offense. UDFA James Robinson has clearly established himself as the team's lead back, and at this point it doesn't look like there's much more production to be had in the backfield behind him.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Gostkowski kicks 49-yarder as Titans beat Jaguars 33-30

Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 49-yard field goal with 1:36 left, and the Tennessee Titans remain undefeated after holding off the Jacksonville Jaguars 33-30 Sunday

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Minor role in opener Thompson caught both his targets for six yards during Sunday's win over the Colts.

Impact The 29-year-old was expected to operate in a pass-catching role to begin the season, but the Jaguars threw 20 passes Sunday while running only 47 offensive plays. The game script certainly didn't help his cause, and Thompson was outsnapped 34-12 by rookie James Robinson. The veteran back could become a factor if Jacksonville is forced to play from behind more often, but the season opener illustrates any significant production is unlikely to be consistent.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Jaguars promote RB Cottrell, TE Ellefson from practice squad

The Jacksonville Jaguars promoted running back Nathan Cottrell and tight end Ben Ellefson from the practice squad to the active roster in advance of the season opener Sunday agains...

SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jaguars place RB Ozigbo on IR, sign Ogunbowale to fill spot

The Jacksonville Jaguars have placed running back Devine Ozigbo on injured reserve with a left hamstring injury and signed former Tampa Bay running back Dare Ogunbowale to fill his...

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

FANTASY PLAYS: Waiver wire pickups key to roster building

Waiver wire pickups are a key to roster building going into the fantasy football season

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jaguars' Armstead 'out a while' after return to COVID list

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Ryquell Armstead is expected to miss significant time after landing on the COVID-19 list for the second time in five weeks

SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pass-catching role on tap Thompson will have a pass-catching role in the Jaguars' committee backfield, Garry Smits of the Florida Times-Union reports.

Impact With the Jaguars cutting Leonard Fournette last week, they were left with Thompson, Ryquell Armstead, Devine Ozigbo and James Robinson after cut-down day. Thompson has more experience than the rest of the backs combined, and there's an existing trust between him and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, as the two spent the last six years together in Washington. The 29-year-old isn't expected to eat into the carries Fournette left behind since he's never logged more than 68 carries in a season, but he's locked into a pass-catching role nonetheless. With the Jaguars' defense expected to be a bottom-10 unit, Thompson should have plenty of opportunities to make a fantasy impact in 2020.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE