Ian Wheeler - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Joining Buffalo The Bills signed Wheeler to a one-year deal on Thursday, Alec White of the team's official site reports.

Impact Wheeler signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2024 before suffering a knee injury that killed all momentum in his rookie season. The running back joined the Saints practice squad in 2025 before departing the league for the UFL. Wheeler was named United Bowl MVP and rushed for 541 yards over 85 carries in 11 games. The 24-year-old will compete for a depth spot behind 2025 rushing-title winner James Cook.

JUNE 18 • ROTOWIRE

Former Bears RB Ian Wheeler Heads to Buffalo Former Bears running back Ian Wheeler has parlayed a strong UFL campaign into his next NFL opportunity.

JUNE 18 • BLEACHERNATION.COM

Chicago Bears Former Preseason Standout Signs With UFL Team Former Chicago Bears running back Ian Wheeler has had an interesting ride through the first two years of his NFL career. He became a preseas...

FEBRUARY 25 • SI.COM

Cut from practice squad The Saints cut Wheeler from the practice squad Tuesday.

Impact Wheeler was signed to the practice squad last week. He's never appeared in a regular-season NFL contest.

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with New Orleans The Saints signed Wheeler to the practice squad Tuesday.

Impact Wheeler takes the spot on the practice squad vacated by Evan Hull, who was signed to the Saints' 53-man roster Tuesday. It's a sign that Alvin Kamara (knee) could miss some time.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Works out with Minnesota The Vikings hosted Wheeler (undisclosed) for a workout Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Wheeler appears to have fully recovered from an undisclosed injury that led to an injury settlement with the Bears in early September. Now that he's healthy, the 25-year-old running back out of Howard is looking to catch on with a team in need of depth out of the backfield.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Receives injury settlement The Bears waived Wheeler (undisclosed) from IR with an injury settlement Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Wheeler's injury settlement will make him eligible to sign with a club, whether in Chicago or elsewhere, once healthy this season, rather than spend the entire year on IR. Across his two preseason appearances, Wheeler impressed with 26 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns. He also turned his only target into a 14-yard catch.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to IR Wheeler (undisclosed) cleared waivers Wednesday and reverted to the Bears' injured reserve, per the NFL's official media site.

Impact Wheeler got a good look in preseason with 26 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns in addition to a 14-yard catch on his lone target through two games. The second-year running back out of Howard spent the 2024 season on injured reserve with a knee injury, and he'll face a same situation this year unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team.

AUGUST 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cut by Chicago The Bears waived Wheeler on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Wheeler didn't play in the preseason finale after rushing 26 times for 100 yards and two touchdowns across the first two exhibitions. He added one catch for 14 yards. Wheeler could be a candidate for the practice squad if he clears waivers.

AUGUST 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Bears' celebratory enthusiasm punctuates Ian Wheeler's second TD rush of night Chicago Bears running back Ian Wheeler rushes for a 10-yard touchdown against the Buffalo Bills.

AUGUST 18, 2025 • NFL.COM

HIGHLIGHTS: Ian Wheeler's best plays from 2-TD game vs. Bills Ian Wheeler led the Bears in rushing Sunday night with 80 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Watch the best plays from the running back...

AUGUST 18, 2025 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Caleb Williams looks sharp in Ben Johnson's offense as Bears rout Bills 38-0 in preseason

Caleb Williams took advantage of his first preseason playing time

AUGUST 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Ian Wheeler barges in from a yard out for Chicago's FOURTH first-half TD Chicago Bears running back Ian Wheeler rushes for a one-yard touchdown against the Buffalo Bills.

AUGUST 18, 2025 • NFL.COM

HIGHLIGHT: Ian Wheeler finds end zone for second time Bears running back Ian Wheeler rushes for a 10-yard touchdown.

AUGUST 18, 2025 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

HIGHLIGHT: Ian Wheeler barges in from a yard out for Bears' fourth first-half TD Bears running back Ian Wheeler rushes for a one-yard touchdown.

AUGUST 18, 2025 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Ian Wheeler makes his return to the football field for Chicago Bears Chicago Bears running back Ian Wheeler made his return to the football field nearly a year after suffering a season-ending injury in the 202...

AUGUST 11, 2025 • 247SPORTS.COM

Bears postgame locker room | 2025 Preseason Week 1 Tight end Colston Loveland, wide receiver Luther Burden III and running back Ian Wheeler meet with the media following Sunday's game against...

AUGUST 10, 2025 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Activated from NFI The Bears activated Wheeler (undisclosed) from the active/non-football injury list Tuesday.

Impact Wheeler signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent out of Howard following the 2024 Draft and then suffered a knee injury in last summer's preseason finale. He spent the season on injured reserve but will now compete for a job behind D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson and rookie Kyle Monangai in the backfield.

JULY 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Roster Moves: Bears sign veterans Tre Flowers, Tanoh Kpassagnon, activate two off NFI list The Chicago Bears on Tuesday signed defensive back Tre Flowers and defensive lineman Tanoh Kpassagnon. They also activated wide receiver Jah...

JULY 22, 2025 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Placed on active/NFI list Wheeler (undisclosed) was moved to the active/non-football injury list by the Bears on Saturday.

Impact Once Wheeler is ready to return to practice, he can come off the active/NFI list at any time throughout training camp and the preseason. The running back missed his rookie season last year with a knee injury but returned in time for June OTAs. If he can come back for training camp, he should have a chance to compete for a depth role in a backfield led by D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson.

JULY 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Drew Dalman on learning new offense | Bears Weekly Podcast Offensive lineman Drew Dalman and running back Ian Wheeler join hosts Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer and Jim Miller.

JULY 11, 2025 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Present for OTAs Wheeler (knee) is participating in OTAs.

Impact The running back signed with the Bears in May of 2024 as an undrafted free agent before landing on IR with a knee injury in late August. Wheeler spent the entire 2024 campaign on injured reserve. Now, though, he might have a chance to compete for a depth role in Chicago's backfield.

JUNE 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Spends season on injured reserve Wheeler spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in the preseason finale.

Impact Wheeler was signed in May of 2024 as an undrafted free agent. The running back is signed with Chicago through 2026.

JANUARY 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Headed for IR The Bears plan to place Wheeler (knee) on IR, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com and Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com report.

Impact Per Emma, the running back suffered a torn ACL on Thursday, an injury that is on track to land the Howard product on season-ending IR. Ahead of Week 1, the Bears' top healthy backfield options are D'Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer.

AUGUST 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Injures knee in preseason finale Wheeler suffered a knee injury in Thursday night's preseason win over the Chiefs, Scott Bair of the Bears' official site reports.

Impact Coach Matt Eberflus said after the game that Wheeler would need further evaluation. Prior to leaving versus Kansas City, Wheeler recorded five carries for five yards, wrapping up the 2024 preseason with 12 carries for 52 yards and two touchdowns.

AUGUST 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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Caleb Williams looks sharp in Ben Johnson's offense as Bears rout Bills 38-0 in preseason