McCloud (groin) recorded 27 total tackles (18 solo) and two passes defensed over 15 regular-season games in 2025.
The 27-year-old from Notre Dame sustained a groin injury in Chicago's wild-card win over the Packers that held him out of the divisional-round loss to the Rams. McCloud emerged as one of the Bears' top reserve corners, making four starts while filling in for the injured Kyler Gordon during the regular season. McCloud played 431 defensive snaps this season after totaling just 214 defensive snaps across 15 appearances with the Giants and 49ers in 2024. He signed a one-year deal with the Bears in March of last year, making him an unrestricted free agent this offseason. McCloud is expected to find work as a reserve corner and special-teams contributor ahead of the 2026 season.
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Bears' Nick McCloud: Won't play in divisional round
Rotowire
McCloud (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's divisional-round matchup against the Rams.
McCloud didn't practice all week with an apparent groin injury, so it's no surprise he won't play in Sunday's playoff contest. While the Notre Dame product is sidelined, expect C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Josh Blackwell to operate as the Bears' top slot corners during the divisional round.
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Bears' Nick McCloud: Dealing with groin injury
Rotowire
McCloud (groin) was estimated as a non-participant for Chicago's walkthrough practice Wednesday.
McCloud played 20 defensive snaps in Chicago's wild card victory versus the Packers, but now his status for the divisional round is in jeopardy due to a groin injury. He'll probably have to practice in some capacity Thursday or Friday to give himself a chance to play Sunday versus the Rams.
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Bears' Nick McCloud: Estimated a full participant
Rotowire
McCloud (illness) was a full participant in Tuesday's walkthrough.
McCloud missed Chicago's final two games of the regular season due to an illness, but it looks like he's fully on track to return for Saturday's wild-card round matchup against the Packers. Expect McCloud to handle a rotational role on defense as the primary backup at slot cornerback behind C.J. Gardner-Johnson (concussion).
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Bears' Nick McCloud: Won't play vs. Detroit
Rotowire
McCloud (illness) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Lions.
McCloud was unable to shake off an illness in time for Week 18 and will end up missing the final two games of the regular season. Josh Blackwell, Tyrique Stevenson and Jaylon Jones are in line for more rotational snaps in the secondary in McCloud's absence.
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Bears' Nick McCloud: Still battling illness
Rotowire
McCloud (illness) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
McCloud was unable to shake off an illness in time to be available for the Bears' Week 17 loss to the 49ers. He's still under the weather, but he'll have two more chances to increase his practice participation and likely fade an injury designation ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Lions.
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Bears' Nick McCloud: Lands in Chicago
Rotowire
McCloud signed a one-year contract with the Bears on Monday.
In 2024, the cornerback appeared in seven regular-season games with the Giants (162 defensive snaps, 115 special-teams snaps) and eight with the 49ers (52 defensive snaps, 97 special-teams snaps), recording 25 tackles (14 solo) in total as well as a pass defensed. McCloud has 16 starts in 48 career games, and his best statistical campaign came with the Giants in 2022, when he finished the regular season with 43 tackles (35 solo), including 1.5 sacks, and seven pass breakups. He should have a chance to compete for at least a depth role in Chicago.
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Nick McCloud: Gets cut
Rotowire
The Giants waived McCloud on Tuesday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
McCloud had been a regular contributor on special teams in his seven games this season, but the Giants saw fit to move on ahead of Week 10. He'll now have to look for a new opportunity with another team.
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Giants' Nick McCloud: Will play Thursday night
Rotowire
McCloud (knee) has no injury designation ahead of Thursday night's game against the Cowboys, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.
McCloud had missed the Giants' last two contests after sustaining a knee injury during the team's Week 1 loss to the Vikings. However, following a limited week of practice sessions, he'll return to the field Thursday night. Expect McCloud to start opposite Deonte Banks as part of the Giants' top outside cornerback duo in Week 4.
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Giants' Nick McCloud: Estimated as limited
Rotowire
McCloud (knee) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimation, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.
McCloud has missed back-to-back contests due to a knee injury sustained during the Giants' Week 1 loss, but his limited estimation Monday suggests he could return for Week 4. If McCloud still isn't past his knee issue by the time of Thursday night's game, expect Cor'Dale Flott to see more work with the Giants' first-team defense.
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Giants' Nick McCloud: Ruled out versus Cleveland
Rotowire
McCloud (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Browns, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.
McCloud was injured in the Week 1 opener against the Vikings and will now miss his second straight contest. Deonte Banks, Cor'Dale Flott, Andru Phillips and Adoree' Jackson are slated to handle cornerback duties this week against Cleveland.
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Giants' Nick McCloud: Won't play Week 2
Rotowire
McCloud (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Commanders.
The fourth-year cornerback was unable to practice all week after suffering a knee injury in Week 1, so it's no surprise that he won't suit up Sunday. With McCloud sidelined, expect Adoree' Jackson and Tre Hawkins to see increased snaps in the Giants' secondary.
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Giants' Nick McCloud: Avoids injury report
Rotowire
McCloud (groin) wasn't listed on the Giants' injury report Wednesday ahead of Sunday's game against the Cowboys.
McCloud and the Giants felt confident that the young safety would be available for Week 1 after he sustained a groin injury toward the end of training camp. He'll provide depth in the secondary behind starters Jason Pinnock and Xavier McKinney.
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Giants' Nick McCloud: Ruled out for Week 2
Rotowire
McCloud (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Panthers.
McCloud suffered a hamstring injury during the team's Week 1 win over the Titans and will be sidelined for at least one additional week. Aaron Robinson (appendix) has also been ruled out, so Darnay Holmes, Justin Layne and Cor'Dale Flott are all candidates for increased roles Sunday.
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Giants' Nick McCloud: Exits with hamstring injury
Rotowire
McCloud sustained a hamstring injury during Sunday's win over the Titans, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.
McCloud racked up two tackles on special teams against Tennessee but was unable to return to the game after suffering his hamstring injury during the second half. His status for next Sunday's game against Carolina remains to be seen.
