Jerrell

Freeman

Freeman became the first player from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to be offered an NFL contract when he signed as a UDFA with the Titans in 2008. After matriculating to Saskatchewan, Freeman led the CFL in tackles in 2011, finishing as runner-up for Most Outstanding Defensive Player honors. Undersized at 6'0", 220 pounds, Freeman will battle for a special teams job in Indy.

The reference is to Ray Lewis. After racking up 16 tackles in Sunday’s win over the Bills, Freeman is up to 101 in 11 games -- good for fourth in the league. He also has two sacks, one interception he returned for a touchdown and a forced fumbled. The CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2011, Freeman has turned into an IDP asset.

Freeman did provide IDP owners with 14 tackles before leaving, but his Week 7 status is now unclear. He’ll have to pass concussion protocols and Pat Angerer (foot) is likely nearing a return.

Freeman left last week’s loss with a head injury, but he apparently passed all concussion testing. IDP owners now need to monitor the status of Pat Angerer (foot), who is considered questionable for Sunday’s game against the Browns.

Freeman has played 590 of a possible 603 defensive snaps this season according to Pro Football Focus. He is also tied for ninth in the NFL in tackles with 73. After Freeman finished as the runner-up for Most Outstanding Defensive Player in the CFL in 2011, the Colts signed him and plugged him right into the starting lineup. Freeman rarely comes off the field with Pat Angerer and Kavell Conner rotating next to him. He’s developed into a quality IDP player in his rookie season.

That number comes courtesy of the coaching staff. The NFL credits Freeman with 145 tackles, which ranks fifth in the league. The CFL’s runner-up for Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2011 has been one of many gems unearthed by first-year GM Ryan Grigson.

He’s the second Bear in as many weeks to earn a PED ban. We’ll see if Freeman trots out the usual “Adderall” excuse. Signed to a three-year, $12 million deal in March, Freeman has been an excellent addition, standing up to the run and holding his own in coverage. It further thins what is becoming a comically-decimated team. The Bears are going to be a Triple-A squad down the stretch. Fourth-rounder Nick Kwiatkoski is expected to take Freeman’s starting spot.

Freeman should immediately slide back in as an every-down player. In the first season of a three-year contract, Freeman has been a solid signing for a rebuilding team. He should be back at his $3.5 million salary in 2017 unless his suspension has soured the Bears.

His status for Week 2 against the Bucs is uncertain. A true three-down inside linebacker, Freeman’s presence is critical in both run defense and coverage.

You could consider him questionable for Week 2. Font of information John Fox wasn’t forthcoming on Monday. Freeman plays all three downs, and would be a big loss against a Bucs team opening its season at home.