Aug 8, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Chris Williams (82) catches a 73 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jimmy Clausen (not pictured) during the second half of a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field. The Bears won 34-28. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

In anticipation of finalizing their 53-man roster on Saturday, the Chicago Bears have been in the process of making roster moves over the past 48 hours.

Continuing their efforts, the Bears placed wide receiver Chris Williams on waivers on Saturday morning. Williams being placed on waivers comes as a minor surprise. Entering training camp, Williams will was fully expected to be the Bears’ primary returner this season. Williams’ stock, however, took a hit when the wide receiver injured his hamstring in the Bears’ first pre-season game this season. The hamstring injury forced Williams to miss two of the Bears four pre-season games.

Williams returned for the Bears’ fourth and final pre-season game on Thursday and returned three kickoffs for a total of 81 yards. Though, by then, it was too little, too late for the former Canadian League standout wide receiver.

With Williams’ release, Micheal Spurlock is now expected to be the Bears’ primary returner this season. When Spurlock did not dress for the Bears’ final pre-season game on Thursday, that was an indicator that the wide receiver was going to make the team.

In addition to the release of Williams, the Bears also announced that defensive tackle Lee Pegues and linebacker DeDe Lattimore have been placed on waivers.

With those moves, the Bears have only nine more roster moves to make before finalizing their 53-man roster.