Taylor Gabriel

Gabriel was released by the Bears ahead of the 2020 season. He then chose to opt out of the season despite drawing some interest as a free agent. Gabriel began his career as a UDFA in Cleveland, reaching 621 receiving yards as a rookie. He spent two years with the Falcons and another two with the Bears. An accomplished field-stretcher with impressive top-end speed, Gabriel ends his career with 228 receptions for 2,860 yards and 14 touchdowns. 

Gabriel made it through two seasons of a four-year, $26 million contract, producing 41.6 receiving yards per game and six touchdowns in 25 regular-season appearances for the Bears. He suffered two concussions in 2019, with the second keeping him out for the final five weeks of the season. With the 29-year-old speedster out of the picture, Riley Ridley and Javon Wims could be in the mix for a starting job in Chicago, though the team still has free agency and the draft ahead to find better options at wide receiver. Veteran cornerback Prince Amukamara also was released Friday, with the two transactions clearing out a combined $13.5 million in 2020 cap space, per Field Yates of ESPN.

Gabriel will miss a fifth straight game after suffering his second concussion of the season in a Week 12 win over the Giants. He made seven starts in nine appearances this year, catching 29 of 48 targets (60.4 percent) for 353 yards (7.4 YPT) and four touchdowns. A 6-75-3 receiving line against Washington in Week 3 was the only real highlight for fantasy purposes, and the overall production through two seasons hasn't lived up to a four-year, $26 million contract. Gabriel will turn 29 in February and may end up looking for a new team in the offseason.

With no practice reps under his belt since he sustained his second concussion of the season Week 12 against the Giants, Gabriel can effectively be ruled out for the Bears' finale Sunday against the Vikings. Chicago will likely provide confirmation on Gabriel's status at the conclusion of Friday's practice.