In this Aug. 17 file photo, Chicago Bears tight end and Jamestown, N.Y. native Stephen Carlson (88) runs a pass route during the second half of an NFL preseason game against the Buffalo Bills in Chicago. AP Photo

It didn’t take long for Stephen Carlson to find out where he’ll be when the 2025 NFL season begins next week.

That’s because after the tight end and Jamestown, New York native was released by Chicago at the league’s final cutdown date Tuesday, he was signed by the Bears to their practice squad less than 24 hours later. The announcement was made on the team’s website Wednesday.

Carlson, a 2015 Jamestown High School and 2019 Princeton University graduate, was initially signed by Cleveland as an undrafted free agent in the spring of 2019. After two seasons with the Browns, he eventually signed with the Bears in 2023 and has spent most of his time in the Windy City as a member of their practice squad. In 2024, he was elevated to the active roster in the beginning of October, but before getting a chance to play in the following Sunday’s game, he suffered a season-ending collarbone injury.

Re-signed by the Bears in March, Carlson, 28, had participated in all the team’s offseason activities, including training camp, highlighted by his 38-yard reception in Chicago’s come-from-behind victory at Kansas City last week.

Below are some details regarding the practice squad, according to ESPN.com:

¯ In 2025, NFL teams can have 17 players on their practice squads, but one member has to be a member of the NFL’s International Pathway Program. Of the other 16, 10 must be rookies or second-year players.

¯ Up to six of the 17 players can have unlimited NFL experience. Previously, players could have no more than two accrued NFL seasons for eligibility.

¯ Every Tuesday, teams can designate four players as protected, so they can’t be placed on another team’s active roster from that day until kickoff.

¯ Two players can be promoted to the active roster on game days. Then they return to the practice squad, unless the team offers a one-year deal.

¯ Teams can’t activate a player more than twice; after the second time, they must decide whether to promote him to the active roster.