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INJURY UPDATE: Three Key Bears Starters Miss Wednesday Practice With Significant Injuries — Head Coach Ben Johnson Activates Two Stars Ahead of Showdown With Packers

Chicago, Illinois – December 4, 2025

The Chicago Bears sit atop the NFC at 9-3, but their hold on the conference’s No. 1 seed grew shakier on Wednesday. What was supposed to be a routine mid-week session instead delivered a gut punch: three major starters were absent due to significant injuries, casting doubt over Chicago’s readiness for its biggest game of the season against the Green Bay Packers.

The troubling DNP list featured:

  • WR Rome Odunze (foot)

  • RB Kyle Monangai (ankle)

  • CB Tyrique Stevenson (hip)

  • Odunze’s foot issue threatens his ability to separate in Ben Johnson’s timing-based passing scheme. Monangai — central to Chicago’s top-two rushing attack — still cannot put full weight on his injured ankle. Stevenson, in the middle of a breakout year, now faces a hip problem days before the Bears must defend one of the NFL’s most explosive passing offenses.

    Nov 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

    Yet amid the uncertainty, Johnson delivered a much-needed spark by activating two defensive stars who had missed the past two weeks:

    • LB T.J. Edwards

  • LB Noah Sewell

  • Both returned to the field with encouraging movement, immediately lifting the defense as Chicago prepares to contain Jordan Love, who has been playing at an MVP-level pace.

    Asked about navigating a week shaped by both setbacks and returns, Johnson offered a statement that instantly framed Chicago’s mindset heading into Week 14:

    “You never get to choose when adversity hits — it always shows up when you least expect it. But you can choose how you stand up to it. And the guys who came back today… they reminded this entire team that we’re not just controlling our destiny, we’re capable of writing a chapter people didn’t think we could write.”

    With Odunze, Monangai, and Stevenson all in jeopardy of missing Sunday, the Bears will rely heavily on roster depth, Johnson’s adaptability, and the poise of Caleb Williams.

    Bears–Packers has always been historic. But this year, it may define the entire NFC. Chicago enters wounded — but determined to prove the story isn’t finished yet.

    After learning he is on the cut list, a Pro Bowl superstar with more than 6,000 career yards for the Vikings has sent shockwaves through the NFL by expressing his desire to join the Jacksonville Jaguars for the final chapter of his career.
    The NFL offseason has just begun, yet a wave of buzz has already emerged as the Minnesota Vikings are rumored to be preparing roster cuts to restructure the team. With the salary cap tightening and a clear youth movement taking shape, a veteran running back has suddenly become the focal point of league-wide attention. The Vikings are believed to be ready to part ways with a running back who once played a significant role in the offense. Despite posting a debut season of more than 1,000 rushing yards and five touchdowns, he has struggled with injuries and a gradual decline in form in recent years. As Minnesota looks for financial flexibility and offensive renewal, the possibility of a release appears increasingly unavoidable. Aaron Jones is the name that has truly stunned the NFL. The Pro Bowler with more than 6,000 career rushing yards has not chosen to remain silent and wait for his future to be decided. Instead, Jones has unexpectedly expressed his desire to join the Jacksonville Jaguars for the final stage of his career — a statement that immediately sent ripples across the AFC landscape. On the surface, the move feels unconventional, given Jones’ long history in the NFC North. But for him, this is not about divisions or rivalries. The Jaguars are quietly building a physical, disciplined identity centered around balance and toughness — an approach Jones believes aligns perfectly with his downhill running style and veteran mindset. “I look at Jacksonville and see a team heading in the right direction,” Jones said. “They play with intent, they value physical football, and they’re serious about building something sustainable. The culture Coach  Liam Coen and that locker room are creating really resonates with me. Honestly, I feel like my game fits what they’re trying to do.” From a football perspective, the Jaguars offer an intriguing situation. With a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence and a roster that no longer needs one player to carry the entire offense, Jones could step into a complementary veteran role — providing experience, pass protection, and stability while helping elevate a young team with playoff ambitions. For the Vikings, moving on from Aaron Jones may be a difficult but necessary step in reshaping their roster. For the Jaguars, it represents a low-risk, high-upside opportunity to add leadership and reliability. And for Jones, the interest in Jacksonville is not simply about finding a new team — it’s about choosing the right environment to close his NFL career playing the brand of football he has always believed in.