Connor

Shaw

A 2014 undrafted free agent, Shaw had more name recognition than he probably should have because of the Browns’ sorry quarterback situation. He spent all of 2015 on injured reserve with a thumb injury. Shaw was an extremely tough player at the University of South Carolina, but lacks the tools to extend his NFL career much further.

Shaw suffered what looked like a broken ankle late in the fourth quarter. His leg was placed in an air cast before he was carted off the field. He is likely done for the season. Shaw had been one of the few bright spots for the Bears, completing 5-of-7 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. Brian Hoyer, who was shaken up after falling hard on his elbow earlier in the game, replaced him at quarterback.

He was driven immediately to the hospital and will undergo surgery. Shaw “could be back this season,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported, but Shaw will be placed on injured reserve. Perhaps he’ll be released later with a settlement.

Shaw was waived by Cleveland on Thursday. The Saints and Seahawks also put in claims for Shaw but the Bears had a higher priority. The 24-year-old started one game for Cleveland in 2014, completing 14-of-28 passes for 177 yards and an interception against Baltimore in Week 17. He spent all of 2015 on injured reserve after breaking his thumb in a preseason game. Shaw has an outside shot to make the team as the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Jay Cutler and backup Brian Hoyer.

He was an exclusive rights free agent. Claimed off waivers from the Browns last July, Shaw suffered a broken leg in the preseason and spent the entire year on injured reserve. He was sidelined all of 2015 with a thumb injury. Shaw has a chance to latch on as the No. 3 in what should be a remade quarterback room.

The team announced the move this morning, then changed course after an OTAs practice. The ex-Brown will serve as a camp arm, though obviously he’s near the end of the 90-man roster. He might not make it to July.

The move makes room for Victor Cruz on the roster. Claimed off waivers from the Browns last July, Shaw was having a solid preseason before breaking his right leg and spending the entire year on injured reserve. He should end up in someone’s camp.

Shaw is recovering from “minor” ankle surgery. The team decided to waive Shaw in May but then changed its mind. With the Bears rolling three deep at quarterback, Shaw will be released with an injury settlement once he gets healthy.

Shaw was just getting a screw removed from his ankle from a previous surgery. With Mike Glennon, Mitchell Trubisky and Mark Sanchez ahead of him on the quarterback depth chart, Shaw is a long shot to make the Bears’ 53-man roster.

Shaw (6-foot, 206) made 32 starts for Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks, compiling a 27-5 record, 56:16 TD:INT ratio and 65.5 completion rate. An undersized, athletic scrambler, Shaw added 17 career rushing scores but often paid the price, missing time with MCL and LCL sprains, a right shoulder injury and a left foot ailment that required surgery. Although Shaw was a good college starter, his game likely doesn’t fit the pros. At best, Shaw could become a Jeff Garcia-like backup.