Bears Place Tremaine Edmunds on IR, Roster Shake-Up Ahead of Game

BREAKING: The Chicago Bears have officially placed linebacker Tremaine Edmunds on injured reserve, following a series of critical roster moves ahead of their Sunday showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This announcement, made Saturday afternoon, comes after Edmunds suffered a groin injury late in last week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.

This significant update means Edmunds will be sidelined for at least four weeks, impacting the Bears’ defensive strategy as they prepare for the Steelers at Soldier Field. The Bears, currently at 7-3, are facing mounting injuries, with key players like Edmunds, middle linebacker T.J. Edwards, and rookie Noah Sewell also ruled out.

The Bears have announced several roster changes to compensate for these losses. Alongside Edmunds, running back Roschon Johnson has also been placed on IR. In response, the team has signed linebacker Carl Jones Jr. and running back Brittain Brown to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. Meanwhile, offensive tackle Jordan McFadden and tight end Nikola Kalinic have been elevated to the game-day roster.

With these changes, the Bears’ defensive unit is facing a crucial test. D’Marco Jackson is expected to make his first career start at middle linebacker, while rookie fourth-round pick Ruben Hyppolite II will step in for Edmunds on the weak side. The challenges mount as the Bears prepare to face a Steelers offense that may include quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is currently listed as questionable due to a wrist injury.

Edmunds is a pivotal component of the Bears’ defense, leading the team with 89 tackles, four interceptions, and nine pass breakups this season. His absence is a huge blow, especially as the Bears’ defense has already been stretched thin, playing without top cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon for much of the season.

The Bears’ defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, has had to adapt significantly, with his unit ranking 25th against the run and 32nd in explosive play rate allowed. However, they lead the league in takeaways, with 22 this season. The team has relied heavily on sub-packages, being in them for 80% of their defensive snaps, which ranks among the highest in the league.

In addition to the defensive shake-up, there are concerns for left tackle Theo Benedet, who is questionable for Sunday’s game due to a quad injury. If Benedet cannot play, second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo is set to be the third left tackle to start this season, as veteran Braxton Jones remains on IR.

This week’s game against the Steelers is pivotal not only for playoff standings but also for testing the Bears’ depth amid numerous injuries. Coach Ben Johnson emphasized the need for smart management of player health as they look to navigate a quick turnaround for their upcoming game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, November 24, 2025.

Fans are left anxious as they await updates on potential returns for key players. Both Johnson and Gordon were full participants in Friday’s practice, raising hopes for their availability in future games.

As the Bears prepare for this crucial matchup, all eyes will be on the field to see how they adapt without their star linebacker and whether they can leverage their remaining strengths to secure a victory against the Steelers.