The Chicago Bears are battling injuries at multiple positions, and they are expected to take precautions with one in particular: that of linebacker T.J. Edwards.
Edwards suffered a hamstring injury in Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers.
“Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards injured his hamstring last week,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on October 14. “Though it’s not considered severe, it is a reaggravation of a preseason hamstring issue, so the Bears will likely be cautious.”
Edwards, 30, battled soft-tissue injuries last season, straining his hamstring just ahead of the opener and missing three of the first four games and ultimately playing in 10 games.
He later suffered a glute injury during the Bears’ Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers.
Bears Expected to be Cautious With T.J. Edwards
T.J. Edwards Trending Toward Missing Time for Bears
Bears head coach Ben Johnson described Edwards as “week-to-week” in his update on Wednesday, which aligns with what Fowler said about how the team will approach the situation with Edwards.
The question now becomes just what does that mean? Johnson previously noted how soft-tissue injuries can be telling of future issues.
The Bears have already seen soft-tissue injuries hinder multiple starters.
Jaylon Johnson had core muscle surgery last season and has been targeted often with great success this season. Kyler Gordon is set to return soon after he battled soft-tissue injuries last season, too.
Johnson played in seven games last season, while Gordon managed three appearances.
Combined, the trio of Edwards, Gordon, and Johnson started 17 of a possible 51 games during the 2025 regular season.
Bears Facing Offseason Reckoning
Edwards is signed through 2027 on a two-year, $20 million contract. However, there is no more guaranteed money on the deal, and the current trend for the Bears could make a blood-letting on that side of the ball inevitable.
Edwards is one of several defensive players who were acquired under a different coaching staff and could be subject to roster changes as the Bears also navigate financial constraints.
Over The Cap projects the Bears at $1.1 million over the limit in 2027.
Dayo Odeyingbo, Grady Jarrett, Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and Montez Sweat all join Edwards and Johnson in having no guaranteed money on their deals in 2027. A significant portion of that group could be elsewhere come next season.
Gordon has $10 million in guarantees in 2027, which could push any decision on him down the road to 2028.
Changes are coming for the Bears’ roster, as they do every season.
As such, the group’s performance over the rest of the season will continue to have implications for this campaign and beyond. Their next test will be back on the road, where they are 1-1 this season, to face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6.
Injuries Loom Large for Bears
The Bears are expected to be without Sweat in Week 6. He is serving a two-game suspension but is expected to appeal, which could see it reduced or wiped out.
Edwards and Odeyingbo (quad) are also expected to miss some time.
Tyrique Stevenson was listed as a limited participant for the Bears on Wednesday. But that was for a walkthrough, not a practice. That adds cause for pause over his and quarterback Caleb Williams (hamstring, full) being listed as they were.
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