The Chicago Bears are dealing with injuries to both of their starting edge rushers heading into their 2024 season opener against the Tennessee Titans, raising concerns about their defense’s pass-rushing capability.
Veteran defensive end DeMarcus Walker was added to the Bears’ injury report on September 5 with a groin injury, becoming a limited participant in Thursday’s practice after going through the first session of the week at full speed. Pro Bowl defensive end Montez Sweat was also limited for the second consecutive day due to a lingering toe issue, casting uncertainty on the availability of Chicago’s top two pass rushers for Sunday’s showdown.
While the Bears have not shown much public concern about either Walker’s or Sweat’s status for the game, their lack of full participation in practice raises questions. When asked about the upcoming matchup against the Titans, Sweat expressed optimism, saying, “Yeah, I’m excited. I’m excited to get my hands on the QB,” signaling he’s preparing to play despite the injury.
However, if neither edge rusher is cleared for the opener, the Bears will need to turn to their backups. Newly acquired veteran Darrell Taylor or promising fifth-round rookie Austin Booker could step into the starting lineup, depending on the final injury report.
Austin Booker’s Opportunity Looms
Should Sweat or Walker be sidelined, it could open the door for rookie Austin Booker to see significant action. Booker turned heads during the preseason, particularly with his 2.5 sacks against the Buffalo Bills. Despite his potential, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has emphasized that Booker is still in the “development phase.”
“We’ll define his role,” Eberflus said during training camp. “If he can do all things [that] we want him to do, he will do that. If he’s developing in a certain phase, we’ll just back him down in that particular department. But we’re always gonna evaluate that and push him to be an every-down end.”
Booker’s preseason performance has given the coaching staff confidence in his ability to contribute, but the Bears might have no choice but to throw him into regular-season action if the injury bug bites the defensive line.
Alongside Booker, the Bears could also look to Taylor, who has accumulated 21.5 sacks over the past three seasons, or fifth-round pick Dominique Robinson, who has the benefit of more NFL experience. While neither player offers the upside of Booker, their familiarity with NFL competition could make them more reliable in Week 1.
Bears Get Good News on Offensive Line Depth
Amidst the injury concerns, the Bears received a positive update on veteran offensive lineman Ryan Bates. After being limited in Wednesday’s practice with a shoulder injury, Bates returned to full participation on Thursday. While it’s uncertain if he’ll immediately return to the starting lineup, his availability will provide valuable depth for Chicago’s offensive line as they prepare for the Titans.
Other Bears dealing with injuries include wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel), rookie offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie (quad), running back Roschon Johnson (toe), and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (groin), all of whom remained limited in Thursday’s practice. Tight end Marcedes Lewis was held out for a veteran rest day.
The Bears will wrap up their practice week on September 6 before making final game-day decisions on player availability. The Titans and Bears will face off at Soldier Field at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on September 8.
