Nikola Kalinic - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Staying in Chicago The Bears signed Kalinic to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Impact Kalinic joined the Bears' practice squad in late August after failing to make the Falcons' 53-man roster at the end of training camp. He was elevated to Chicago's active roster four times, including in each of the Bears' two playoff games, though he did not record a target. Kalinic will be a part of the Bears' 90-man roster for the offseason and will be eligible to participate in OTAs and minicamp.

JANUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Shifts back to practice squad The Bears reverted Kalinic to their practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Kalinic was elevated ahead of Sunday's divisional-round loss to the Rams and logged 18 snaps, all of which came on special teams. The York University product got into two regular-season games this season, with all 29 of his snaps coming as part of the special-teams unit. The Bears' season is over, so unless he's signed to one of the remaining playoff teams' active rosters (which is very unlikely), Kalinic will now set his sights on trying to earn a roster spot somewhere for the 2026 campaign.

JANUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated from practice squad The Bears elevated Kalinic from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's divisional-round matchup versus the Rams.

Impact Kalinic could provide extra depth at tight end should he end up being active for the game. The 28-year-old appeared in two games for Chicago during the regular season but didn't record any stats while playing exclusively on special teams.

JANUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Goes back to practice squad Kalinic reverted to Chicago's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Kalinic was elevated for the Bears' wild-card win over Green Bay on Saturday and logged 15 snaps, all of which came on special teams. The Bears are set at tight end with Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet and Durham Smythe, so if Kalinic is elevated again for the divisional round against the Rams, he'd figure to work exclusively on special teams again.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Suiting up for wild-card contest Kalinic was elevated from the Bears' practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Impact Kalinic has been elevated for the second straight game, after working exclusively on special teams in Week 18. He'll likely play a similar role in Saturday's matchup against the Packers.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Back to Bears' practice squad Kalinic reverted to Chicago's practice squad Monday, per the league's transaction log.

Impact Kalinic was activated from the practice-squad injured list Wednesday and was elevated to the active roster for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Lions, when he played 13 snaps on special teams and recorded a tackle on the opening kickoff. Kalinic appeared in two regular-season games for Chicago and will be available for the NFC playoffs should the team need an additional player on the active roster to contribute on special teams.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated for Sunday The Bears elevated Kalinic from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions.

Impact Kalinic was last elevated for the Bears' Week 12 game against the Steelers, where he logged 59 percent of special-teams snaps in the victory. The tight end is set to fill a similar role in Sunday's divisional contest, likely being used as a supplemental blocker behind starting tight ends Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet and Durham Smythe.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Roster Moves: Chicago Bears place Noah Sewell on IR The Chicago Bears on Wednesday placed linebacker Noah Sewell on Reserve/Injured and activated tight end Nikola Kalinic from Practice Squad/I...

DECEMBER 31, 2025 • CHICAGOBEARS.COM

Back from practice-squad IR Chicago activated Kalinic (undisclosed) from the practice-squad injured list Wednesday.

Impact The tight end has appeared in just one game for the Bears this season, logging 16 snaps on special teams. Across 10 career regular-season appearances, Kalinic has never drawn a target.

DECEMBER 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Joins practice squad injured list Kalinic (undisclosed) was placed on the Bears' practice squad injured list Monday, Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Kalinic was elevated to the active roster ahead of Sunday's 31-28 win over the Steelers, recording a tackle and a forced fumble while playing 15 snaps on special teams. The tight end suffered an apparent injury in the game, leaving the team's Week 12 win in a cast. Kalinic reverted to the team's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log, and he will now be forced to miss some time moving forward.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Bears place linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and running back Roschon Johnson on injured reserve

The Chicago Bears have placed linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and running back Roschon Johnson on injured reserve

NOVEMBER 23, 2025 • Associated Press

Gets Week 12 elevation The Bears elevated Kalinic from their practice squad Saturday ahead of Sunday's matchup versus Pittsburgh.

Impact This is Kalinic's first elevation of the campaign after he signed to Chicago's practice squad in late August. The 28-year-old has played in nine career NFL games -- seven in 2022 with Indianapolis and two in 2024 with the Rams -- and has yet to see a passing target. The Bears have three other healthy tight ends (Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland and Durham Smythe) on the roster, so Kalinic could be challenged to see any offensive snaps Sunday.

NOVEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Heading to Chicago The Bears signed Kalinic to the practice squad Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Kalinic wasn't able to catch onto the Falcons' 53-man roster, and he'll head to Chicago to get an opportunity with the Bears as a member of their practice squad. He has played in nine regular-season games since entering the league in 2022 after a stint in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

AUGUST 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Waived by Falcons Atlanta waived Kalinic on Saturday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.

Impact Kalinic signed with the Falcons on a reserve/future contract in late January, but he won't make the team's initial 53-man roster. The 28-year-old is a candidate to land on a practice squad, either with the Falcons or elsewhere.

AUGUST 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gets opportunity in Atlanta The Falcons signed Kalinic to a reserve/future contract Tuesday, Matt Urben of USA Today reports.

Impact Kalinic suited up for two games with the Rams in 2024, while also spending time on Los Angeles' practice squad. He contributed exclusively on special teams (28 snaps) in that span. Now, the journeyman tight end will get a chance to continue his development with the Falcons this offseason.

JANUARY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Reverts to practice squad Kalinic reverted to the Rams' practice squad Monday.

Impact Kalinic played 14 snaps on special teams and downed a punt during Sunday's win over the Rams. This was the second straight game the 27-year-old was elevated, and he could play again next week versus the Bears if Davis Allen (back) is unable to make his return.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Reverts to practice squad Kalinic reverted to the Rams' practice squad Monday.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated again Kalinic was elevated to the Rams' active roster Saturday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Impact Kalinic was elevated for Week 2 against the Cardinals, during which he played 14 snaps on special teams. If active for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Kalinic would likely reprise the same role on special teams while also providing depth at tight end after Davis Allen was ruled out for Week 3 due to a back injury.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Reverting to practice squad Kalinic reverted to the Rams' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Kalinic played 14 snaps during Sunday's 41-10 loss at Arizona, all on special teams. Whether he gets called back up for Week 3 action might depend on the availability of Davis Allen (back).

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted to active roster The Rams elevated Kalinic from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Impact Kalinic joined the Rams' practice squad after he was unable to make the 53-man roster at the conclusion of training camp. With Davis Allen (back) ruled out for Sunday's game against Arizona, Kalinic is set to serve as the No.3 tight end behind Colby Parkinson and Hunter Long.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back with Rams Kalinic signed with the Rams' practice squad Wednesday, Stu Jackson of the team's official site reports.

Impact After failing to make the Rams' initial 53-man roster Tuesday, Kalinic has found a spot on Los Angeles' practice squad. The 27-year-old tight end last appeared in a regular-season game in 2022 with the Colts, recording no stats while playing 87 total snaps across seven contests.

AUGUST 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Waived by Rams Kalinic was waived by the Rams on Tuesday.

Impact The tight end signed a reserve/future contract with the team in January after spending time on its practice squad last season. Kalinic last saw NFL regular-season action in 2022 with the Colts, when he played on 45 offensive snaps but did not catch a pass.

AUGUST 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Waived by Rams Kalinic was waived by the Rams on Tuesday.

AUGUST 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

HIGHLIGHTS: Rams QB Stetson Bennett finds TE Nikola Kalinic on the roll out for 22 yards against the Chargers Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett finds tight end Nikola Kalinic on the roll out for 22 yards against the LA Chargers in Week 2 o...

AUGUST 18, 2024 • THERAMS.COM

Stetson Bennett finds Nikola Kalinic on the roll out for 22 yards Los Angeles Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett finds Nikola Kalinic on the roll out for 22 yards.

AUGUST 18, 2024 • NFL.COM

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Bears place linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and running back Roschon Johnson on injured reserve