CHICAGO, Ill. – Former University of Dubuque football student-athlete was promoted from the Chicago Bears practice squad to the 53-man active roster on Wednesday. The Bears on Wednesday placed inside linebacker Danny Trevathan on injured reserve and promoted first-year cornerback Michael Joseph from the practice squad to the active roster. Joseph has spent the past two seasons on the practice squad after signing with the Bears as an undrafted free agent from Dubuque in 2018. He grew up in the Chicago area, attending Oswego High School.

Joseph closed his career as one of the most decorated players in school history, including conference Defensive MVP, All-American honors, winning the 2017 Cliff Harris Award, given to the best defensive player in the country in NCAA Division II, III and NAIA. He also earned trips to the Reese's Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.

As a senior, he grabbed a school record eight interceptions. He is the first former Spartan since 1987 to be on a regular season NFL roster, when Eugene Rowell suited up for the Bears during the labor strike. The Bears will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football on Dec. 22nd. Of the 53-man roster, 46 are active on game days and will be announced 90 minutes prior to kickoff.