The Chicago Bears are four weeks into the 2025 season, where they’re in the middle of their bye week before their final 13-game slate.
The Bears have been dealing with injuries to key starters through the first quarter, including cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, as well as linebacker T.J. Edwards. While Gordon and Edwards are gearing up for a return, there are some players on injured reserve who could also return for Week 6 against the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football.
Here’s a look at some reinforcements that could be on the wya for the Bears, as well as an update on the other players currently on IR but not eligible to return yet or ruled out for the season.
DE Austin Booker
Defensive end Austin Booker had a standout start to the preseason before suffering a knee injury during a Week 2 preseason win over the Buffalo Bills. Booker landed on injured reserve before the start of the regular season with a designation to return. The Bears desperately need help with their pass rush, as they’ve totaled just five sacks on the season (26th in the NFL). While Booker isn’t going to be a magic fix, he’ll be a nice complement alongside Montez Sweat and Day Odeyingbo, who each have just one sack in four games.
RB Travis Homer
Running back Travis Homer suffered a calf injury during the preseason, and he started the season on injured reserve as the Bears finalized their initial 53-man roster. While Homer is valued more for his special teams contributions than in the run game, the Bears could use all the help they can get at running back considering their rushing attack has yet to get going in four games.
LB Amen Ogbongbemiga
Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga, like Homer, started the regular season on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury. He’s the second injury at linebacker, alongside starter T.J. Edwards, who’s missed three of four games this season with a hamstring injury. Noah Sewell has gotten the start in his place with rookie Ruben Hyppolite II serving in that LB3 role. Like Homer, Ogbongbemiga’s value comes on special teams, so his return would be big for Richard Hightower’s unit.
Other players on IR
- CB Jaylon Johnson: Johnson suffered a groin injury before the start of training camp, which held him out for the entire summer. He made his season debut in Week 2, but he suffered a new injury to the same groin which knocked him out for the second half. Johnson had surgery on his groin, and the door has been left open for a potential return later this season.
- OL Kiran Amegadjie: After being a healthy scratch in the first two weeks, Amegadjie appeared on the Week 3 injury report with an elbow injury before being placed on IR. Amegadjie is eligible to return from IR in Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens. But you have to wonder, even if he does return, if he’ll be utilized given the Bears have leaned on Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet and rookie Ozzy Trapilo.
- CB Terell Smith: Smith has been a key reserve cornerback who has competed with draft mate Tyrique Stevenson opposite Jaylon Johnson. Smith suffered a brutal knee injury in a Week 2 preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, and he was ruled out for the season. For all intents and purposes, Smith was the first real blow (outside of Johnson) in a long line of injuries for Chicago this season.
- CB Zah Frazier: The fifth-round rookie was expected to compete for playing time during the summer, but he missed the entirety of training camp and the preseason due to personal reasons. Frazier was placed one the reserve/NFI list and was ruled out for the entire 2025 season.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears injury updates: 3 players eligible to come off IR after bye week
