The Bears head into Monday night’s matchup with the Eagles carrying a much cleaner injury picture than it looked like they might have a few days ago. The biggest question still hangs over quarterback, where Caleb Williams is sidelined and the decision remains unsettled. Tyson Bagent cleared concussion protocol on Monday, while Case Keenum worked with the first team all week, leaving Chicago’s choice at the position very much in play.
There were a few other bumps along the way, but most of them smoothed out by the end of the week. Kyle Monangai showed up on the injury report for the second straight week, this time with a knee issue after previously being listed with a hamstring concern. He was not practicing on Thursday, but he returned to full participation on Friday and Saturday and carries no designation into Monday.
Cairo Santos was another surprise name on the report, listed with a right hip issue. Santos said he was only sore after kicking water-logged footballs in Week 2 against the Vikings.
Since the Bears do not have a backup placekicker in their system, they would have needed to sign one before Monday if Santos had not been trending in the right direction. He was back to full practice by Saturday, so he should be available when the game kicks off.
Tyrique Stevenson also appears to have avoided a bigger problem. Head coach Ben Johnson said Friday that Stevenson had been able to do more than initially expected, and he was listed as a full participant on Saturday. Stevenson exited the Vikings game in the fourth quarter and did not return, so getting him back is a major relief for Chicago.
Grady Jarrett and Joe Thuney both had rest days on the report, with Jarrett’s listed as non-injury related. That kind of maintenance is standard, and by Saturday both players were full participants.
There was also movement with Noah Sewell and Shemar Turner, who have both been on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The Bears have opened their 21-day practice window for both, though they are still ruled out for Monday night. Even so, their return to the field is a positive sign.
It is not a spotless report, but it is a lot better than the one Bears fans might have expected earlier in the week. The quarterback situation still drives everything, but Stevenson is back in the mix, the line is intact, and Santos is set. For Chicago, that is a pretty good place to be.
In Other News...
Bears Suddenly Have A Chance To Keep Pace In The NFC North
Week 3 in the NFC North gave the Bears a clearer picture of where the division stands, and it was a weekend that opened the door a little wider than it had been. Green Bay stumbled against the Falcons, Detroit took care of the Jets and Minnesota kept moving with a win over Tampa Bay, leaving Chicago with plenty to sort through as it turns its attention to the Eagles.
For the Bears, the timing matters. They are heading into a matchup with Philadelphia while the rest of the division has already added to the pressure at the top, and the standings now make every result feel a little more urgent. With injuries and other team issues still shaping the race around them, Chicago has a chance to keep from falling further behind and make this stretch mean something in the NFC North. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Must Test Their Backup Plan Against The Eagles Without Caleb Williams
The Bears head into their Week 3 meeting with the Eagles having to lean on a different look at quarterback after Caleb Williams was officially ruled out with a hamstring injury. Chicago has already mapped out the next stretch without its starter, and the timing puts added weight on a matchup that would be difficult even with a full lineup. Other inactive players include Jamree Kromah, Jordan McFadden, Ozzy Trapilo and Jayden Loving.
Case Keenum gets the start in Williams absence, giving the Bears a veteran option to steady things as they navigate the early part of the schedule. The injury is expected to keep Williams sidelined for about three to four weeks, which leaves Chicago watching a short-term plan that has to hold up now and a longer-term timeline that may circle back around the game against the Falcons. [Read more 🡒]