Team news: Chicago Bears | Page 2

Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III is present for practice and in full pads.

Related Players: D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Olamide Zaccheaus, Tyler Scott, Devin Duvernay

Burden's got some time here to rev up to full speed, which makes this wide receiver room incredibly interesting. The rookie has been absent due to a hamstring issue, and now has the opportunity to push the veteran Zaccheaus for a role in 3WR sets. Burden is deep down our current WR rankings, but could begin the slow climb the more he gets integrated into the offense.

It’s cliché to choose the second-year, top-10 pick. But Rome Odunze’s rookie season seemed more disappointing than it actually was. He was fifth among rookies in receiving yards (734) and caught only 53.5 percent of passes thrown his way. However, Odunze served as an example of the inconsistency that plagued the 2024 Bears offense. — Kevin Fishbain

The story went on to say Odunze didn’t meet outside expectations, but it’s not because he was dropping passes or running poor routes. With a better scheme and improved quarterback play, he should take off in Year 2, according to Fishbain. Odunze will likely be a more popular pick this draft season.

D'Andre Swift was not listed among the Bears inactives for Monday Night Football.

Related players: Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer, Darrynton Evans

It's a tough matchup for Swift who should see a nice workload against the Vikings at least. Over the last three games, Swift hasn't gone over 40 yards rushing, averaging over 12 carries in that three-game span. He's also averaged a little over two receptions the last three games. Back on Nov. 24, Swift ran for 30 yards and had three catches for 35 yards against the Vikings. Johnson is inactive which leaves Homer and Evans behind Swift.

Injury report:
OUT
Ryan Bates
Elijah Hicks
Roschon Johnson

QUESTIONABLE
D.J. Moore
D'Andre Swift

Related Players: Travis Homer, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze

Is it Travis Homer season? It certainly seems possible, and he should be snatched up just in case for teams desperate at the RB position.

Allen and Odunze would both get a hefty bump to their floor outcomes if Moore were to miss, as well.

D'Andre Swift is questionable to play Vikings with a groin injury, though he was limited Thursday and a full participant on Friday.

Keenan Allen is questionable with an ankle injury. He was limited on Friday, his first day on the participation report.

Related Players: Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer, D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze

Separate reports called Swift "very likely" to play, but this is seemingly a new issue for Allen.

If Keenan were to miss Week 12, it would boost the floor of all pass-catchers, namely Moore, Oduzne, and Cole Kmet. Moore + Odunze would sneak closer to WR2 territory than their low-end WR3 designations they have with a healthy Allen.

Per Bears head coach Matt Eberflus: Ryan Bates remains in the concussion protocol. Elijah Hicks (ankle) and D'Andre Swift (groin) won't practice.

Teven Jenkins will be limited.

Related Players: Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer

This is definitely a situation to keep an eye on, as Johnson would have a huge workload if Swift were to miss Week 12. Homer has three rush attempts and zero targets on the year.

Forgotten moment from yesterday in the aftermath of the worst loss in franchise history: Jaguars WR Gabe Davis left the locker room on crutches with his left leg in a brace. Suffered a knee injury during the game against Lions.

Related players: Brian Thomas Jr., Christian Kirk, Parker Washington, Austin Trammell, Tim Jones, Elijah Cooks, Devin Duvernay

UPDATE: It's been reported Davis has a torn meniscus. It hasn't yet been determined if Davis will need a trim or a full repair, according to reports. Pro Football Talk reports Davis would be done for the season needing a full repair. However, with the Jags at 2-9 and coming off a horrible loss to the Lions, there is really no need to bring Davis back. It looks like Thomas will remain the team's top target at WR but with Kirk and Davis now potentially done for the year, Washington moves up the depth chart.

Sources: Shane Waldron is out as Bears offensive coordinator.

Related players: Caleb Williams

Thomas Brown is expected to take over. The Athletic reported today the team is also concerned about the regression of Williams now that we've hit the middle of the season. The Bears enter this week ranked 31st in offensive yards despite adding talent like wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back D'Andre Swift to go with D.J. Moore. If there isn't any kind of a turnaround to finish out the season, the Bears could be looking at a major overhaul with the coaching staff.

Running back Khalil Herbert is on to Cincinnati.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that the Bengals have agreed to a trade with the Bears that will add Herbert to their backfield for the rest of the season. A 2025 seventh-round pick will go back to the Bears as compensation.

Related players: Chase Brown, Zack Moss, Trayveon Williams, D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer

Moss is dealing with a neck injury and there is no timetable for his return, we reported on Monday. So the Bengals needed help at the position. Herbert should slide in as the team's RB2 behind Brown, who is the clear RB1. Meanwhile in Chicago, Johnson becomes an interesting fantasy addition as the team's clear RB2 behind Swift. Swift started slow this season, but has come on as of late, however, Johnson could see his value climb and is probably worth adding off the wire if you have the room.

Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. could miss 2-4 weeks with a chest/rib injury suffered Sunday, per sources.

Related player: Evan Engram, Gabe Davis, Parker Washington, Devin Duvernay, Travis Etienne

Scans today will determine full extent and next steps, though. Thomas is also getting a second opinion, Fowler went on to say. It's not good news for Trevor Lawrence and the Jags who also just lost Christian Kirk for the season. With Thomas looking likely to be sidelined, it means Engram is probably the team's top target with Davis and Washington highly in the mix. It could also mean Etienne is involved much more in the passing game until Thomas can return. The Jags are also at 2-6 and there have already been talk of the team unloading some of their talent, and Etienne specifically has been mentioned in rumors.