The Chicago Bears had an off day on Thursday, breaking up their week of preparation ahead of their “Monday Night Football” showdown with the Minnesota Vikings. However, the 2025 regular season kicked off with plenty of Bears-related news.
First, both the Bears and Vikings released injury reports, painting a polarizing picture on both sides of the ledger. Former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is also back in the news.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles got a (small) bit of vindication as well.
Bears, Vikings Injury Report Updates Lead News Roundup
T.J. Edwards DNP for Bears Ahead of Vikings Tilt
The Bears’ final practice of last week saw linebacker T.J. Edwards leave the field with head trainer Andre Tucker. He has yet to practice since then. Moreover, the only update provided was an estimation from the Bears’ PR staff. That is because the team did not actually have a session.
Edwards has never missed a game in his two seasons with the Bears. He has proven to be a reliable running mate for fellow LB Tremaine Edmunds.
It is not unfathomable that Edwards is a game-time decision even without practicing.
Still, the lack of information from the Bears (head coach Ben Johnson will meet with the media again later this week) has left the situation open for speculation. Edwards is a key cog, but hardly the only starter whose status is in jeopardy.
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson was listed as a limited participant. That does put him on track to make his return after missing training camp with groin and, apparently, calf injuries.
That also assumes the Bears do not play it safe and take their chances to let Johnson heal.
Roschon Johnson has not practiced since at least the middle of August and appears a long shot (at best) to play, though the Bears still have two more practices before game day. That also bodes well for Kyle Monangai’s chances of suiting up.
Devin Duvernay, Dominique Robinson, and Josh Blackwell are all reserve players who are supposed to fill key roles either on offense, defense, or even special teams.
The Vikings’ injury report was also noteworthy, albeit for different reasons.
Left tackle Christian Darrisaw and safety Harrison Smith were both listed as “DNP,” which puts their status in some question. Key playmakers linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and wideout Jalen Nailor were full participants.
Most notably, though, is that Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson was not listed at all. That is notable after Jefferson, a four-time Pro Bowler, missed training camp with a hamstring injury.
The injury also kept him out of the preseason, so there could be some rust or caution taken.
Still, having Jefferson would be a big boost for a Vikings team that is without WR Jordan Addison (suspension) and is breaking in a first-year starting quarterback in 2024 NFL Draft No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy.
Former Bears HC Matt Eberflus Has Rocky Start With Cowboys
The Bears are set to make their regular-season debut under Johnson, but their last head coach, Eberflus, was in action in his new role on the NFL’s opening night. Eberflus, now the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, had his hands full with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The reigning champions had racked up 216 total net yards and were averaging 7.2 yards per play at halftime. Dallas’ offense, led by Dak Prescott, was able to hang with Jalen Hurts and Co.
The game was 24-20 Eagles after three quarters.
However, Thursday was the first look at a Cowboys defense with Eberflus at the helm after the late decision to trade their best defensive player in Micah Parsons. They also entered the game with 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith as a healthy scratch.
Ryan Poles Gets Some Vindication
The Cowboys-Eagles game provided plenty of Bears-related storylines. That included officials ejecting 2023 No. 9 overall pick Jalen Carter. It happened before the first play from scrimmage.
While Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren was receiving medical attention following an injury suffered during the opening kickoff, Carter got into an altercation with Prescott.
The lasting image was Carter spitting on Prescott, leading to his ejection.
However, after an hour-plus-long rain delay, NBC shared a clip of what led to Carter’s reaction, which was Prescott spitting on the ground in the direction of the defensive lineman’s feet.
Officials always catch the second guy. That was Carter this time. His reaction still did not equate to the perceived wrongdoing from Prescott. That kind of lack of maturity, however brief, is an example of what turned Poles and others off pre-draft.
The Bears traded out of the No. 9 slot, selecting right tackle Darnell Wright 10th overall.
Carter is a stud, but character concerns emerged during his tenure at Georgia and only got louder during the pre-draft process. In that regard, and maybe only that, Poles was correct.