The Chicago Bears pass rush has been a mess this season. Montez Sweat has been fine. Everybody else? Not so much. Dayo Odeyingbo was completely ineffective in Baltimore, which is pretty much what it's been like all year. Grady Jarrett hasn't stayed healthy. Gervon Dexter has had a rollercoaster year, running hot and cold. They can't get to the quarterback nearly enough. Frustrations are made even worse by the puzzling absence of Austin Booker. The former 5th round pick had a terrific start to the preseason. Sadly, a knee injury landed him on Injured Reserve, meaning he was out for a month.
His practice window opened almost three weeks ago and he's been listed as a full participant since last week. Yet Booker remains MIA. It's led many to wonder if the knee isn't responding as hoped. If the Bears don't activate him by Tuesday, he must stay on IR for the rest of the season. The deadline is almost at hand. Thankfully, Brad Biggs provided an update. It appears Booker will be activated within the next 24 hours, rejoining the team in advance of their trip to Cincinnati.
Austin Booker is expected to finally rejoin the 53-man roster before Tuesday’s deadline.
He’s coming back at a potential time of need. Defensive ends Shemar Turner (knee) and Dominique Robinson (ankle) both left the game and did not return. Turner and Robinson have been regulars in the rotation and once they were out, Daniel Hardy got a little more run. Now, Booker, who suffered a knee injury in preseason, can jump back in and likely get action.
Austin Booker has a chance to establish himself.
One fortunate part of the Bears' pass rush woes is that it kept the door open for him to get a serious opportunity. Whether he does something with it remains to be seen. The Bears loved his progress in the summer. He looked stronger and more explosive. His high motor feels like something they need. Whether it matters is up to him. Austin Booker didn't have much of an impact last season, collecting 10 pressures and 1.5 sacks in 154 snaps. How he performs over the remaining ten games will go a long way in determining what the Bears do next offseason. Right now, pass rusher must be at the top of their needs list. A strong performance from him might shift their focus elsewhere. Either way, his return could be a missing ingredient they've lacked.
