The Chicago Bears have lost another key contributor to a significant injury, linebacker Noah Sewell, confirming the unfortunate news as part of a two-part roster update.
They also welcomed back one of their more unheralded contributors.
Still, the headline of the day for the Bears was their decision regarding Sewell, who became a starter for the first time in his career this season.
Bears Add TE Amid Unfortunate Decision on Noah Sewell
Noah Sewell Latest Injury Loss Bears
“The #Bears have placed LB Noah Sewell on Reserve/Injured,” the team announced with a post on X on December 31.
Sewell exited the Bears’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers on “Sunday Night Football” early in Week 17. He was carted to the locker room after suffering what appeared to be a significant non-contact injury. It turned out to be a ruptured Achilles tendon.
“Wishing @B1essah a speedy recovery [praying hands emoji],” the Bears posted on X on December 31.
The Bears selected Sewell with the No. 148 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. Sewell, 25, ends his third season having set career highs with 59 total tackles and nine starts, tying his previous bests with 1 interception and 13 games played.
Injuries have been a significant hindrance during his career, which made his ability to survive the coaching change this past season stand out. It remains to be seen if the Bears will keep Sewell, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
He will likely miss most, if not all, of next season after suffering his injury.
The Bears figure to turn to D’Marco Jackson when they go with a third LB alongside T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, with Sewell out
Bears Re-Sign Journeyman TE
The Bears also announced they “activated TE Nikola Kalinic from Practice Squad/Injured Reserve and Kalinic has been restored to the Practice Squad.”
Kalinic entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. He has also played for the Los Angeles Rams, and he spent time with the Atlanta Falcons during the 2025 offseason and into training camp.
Kalinic, 28, has played in one game this season, logging all 16 of his snaps on special teams.
The Bears are deep at tight end, with Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland, and Durham Smythe all contributing.
Still, Kalinic’s familiarity with the Bears’ offense makes him an easier option to get up to speed than a complete newcomer. He rejoins fellow veteran tight end Stephen Carlson and second-year UDFA Thomas Gordon on the Bears’ practice squad.
Bears’ 1st Injury Report a Mixed Bag
Sewell was not the only Bears player dealing with an injury, though he was by far their most significant. The Bears listed seven players on their first injury report of Week 18. Two of them–Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Rome Odunze–were non-participants in an estimation.
Odunze has missed the Bears’ last four games due to a stress fracture in his foot. Bears head coach Ben Johnson has remained optimistic that Odunze would play again.
The playoffs begin in two weeks, and the Bears will not get a bye in the first round.
That makes Tryon-Shoyinka’s status on what is an already injury-depleted defensive line something to monitor. The Bears have already lost starter Dayo Odeyingbo and rookie second-round pick Shemar Turner to season-ending injuries.
The Bears listed Josh Blackwell, Luther Burden III, Nick McCloud, and Ozzy Trapilo as limited participants in their estimated report.
McCloud missed Week 17, while Burden suffered an injury on the game’s final play.
Trapilo has played well since taking over at left tackle. He is another situation to monitor, and even more imperative than Tryon-Shoyinka, as Caleb Williams’ blindside protector. The Bears have also battled injuries along their offensive line, specifically at tackle.
Olamide Zaccheaus was a full participant, but he and his Bears teammates have two more sessions to further improve their respective statuses.