Logo

INJURY UPDATE: Stars T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell Activated to the 53-Man Roster – Head Coach Ben Johnson Confirms First Major Scheme Change After One Season

Chicago, Illinois – 12/06/2025

The Chicago Bears received a crucial boost ahead of their NFC North showdown with the Green Bay Packers as T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell were officially activated back to the 53-man roster. After missing two weeks due to injuries, the linebacker duo is finally ready to return — and their comeback does more than stabilize Chicago’s second level. It sets the stage for the first major defensive schematic shift under head coach Ben Johnson.

Article image

Johnson confirmed in Friday’s press conference that once Edwards and Sewell were cleared, the coaching staff immediately began implementing adjustments to the defensive system — changes he described as “impossible to deploy earlier due to missing personnel.”

“When T.J. and Noah return together, you can do things that were simply off the table two weeks ago,” Johnson said. “This is the first time we’ve had enough speed, power, and versatility to reshape our defensive structure. And we’re going to take advantage of it right away.”

Edwards, the heartbeat of the Bears’ defense, remains their top pre-snap communicator and matchup diagnostician. Sewell, meanwhile, brings sideline-to-sideline speed and a downhill blitz element that Chicago has sorely missed during his absence.

Their return allows the Bears to deploy a series of new defensive packages, including:

  • Multiple 4-2-5 variations to maximize linebacker speed and pressure opportunities;

  • Custom-designed blitz concepts built around Sewell’s explosiveness;

  • Expanded zone-match coverages with Edwards orchestrating traffic in the middle.

  • The timing could not be more critical. Chicago enters Week 14 at 6–6 in a must-win situation to keep its playoff hopes alive. Losing Rome Odunze and Tyrique Stevenson has put strain on the offense and secondary, but the middle of the defense — now fortified by Edwards and Sewell — is regaining strength at the perfect moment.

    The challenge ahead is formidable. Green Bay’s offense, led by a red-hot Jordan Love playing at near-MVP level, is one of the toughest matchups in the NFL right now. To slow Love down, Chicago needs its linebacking core at full capacity.

    And with Edwards and Sewell finally back — combined with Ben Johnson’s commitment to reshaping the scheme — the Bears enter Week 14 not just with renewed hope, but with a new defensive identity beginning to take shape.

    US Destroys Iran's Attack Capabilities as Iranian Military Showcases Weapon Strength
    The ongoing military standoff between the United States and Iran has escalated further, as the US claims to have destroyed several key Iranian military targets, while Iran continues to showcase its advanced weapons to assert its military power. In one of the latest developments, a submarine of the Iranian Navy was destroyed by US forces using the short-range ATACM ballistic missile as part of Operation Epic Fury. This move is part of the US strategy to weaken Iran’s military capabilities in the Middle East. Additionally, the US is deploying a landing strike group, including reconnaissance Marines, to bolster its presence in the region. This move comes amidst rising concerns about Iran’s growing military activities. However, Iran is not standing idle. The Iranian military has released videos showing underground tunnels filled with suicide drones, along with secret "firepower city" military facilities. These drones were launched from various locations, both during the day and at night, as part of Tehran’s retaliation against the US and Israel. In addition to the suicide drones, Iran has claimed to possess a massive stockpile of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which could be used to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and launch attacks on multiple critical targets across the Gulf region. These weapons are reportedly stored in underground facilities, making it difficult for the US to detect and eliminate Iran’s military capabilities completely. Furthermore, Iran is said to possess explosive-laden unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) designed for suicide attacks on ships. Due to their small size and fast mobility, these USVs are challenging to detect and defend against, especially during nighttime operations. Despite the US claiming to have destroyed Iran’s offensive capabilities, military experts believe Tehran still retains the ability to effectively control the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route. The US has used long-range missiles such as the ATAC MS and PSM in attacks on Iranian military targets, including warships and supply depots. General Dan Ken, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized the importance of artillery forces in the ongoing operation. He stated that US artillery units, including those from the Army and Marine Corps, have accurately struck several key Iranian targets, including at least one submarine of the Russian-made Kilo class. In the first 13 days of the operation, US artillery achieved a historic milestone by using the PSM missile for the first time in actual combat, deep inside Iranian territory. These actions not only pressure Iran but also have significant ramifications for the Strait of Hormuz, where oil transportation activities could be severely disrupted, leading to oil prices reaching their highest levels since July 2022. The US continues to reinforce its military presence in the Middle East, with additional warships and landing forces expected to carry out further attacks on Iran. However, given Iran’s powerful military capabilities and its control over the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran remains a formidable challenge to US military strategies in the region.