The Bears activated Booker (knee) from injured reserve Tuesday.
Booker practiced in full all of Week 8 but wasn't cleared to return in time for Chicago's loss to the Ravens. Now, however, the 2024 fifth-round pick appears on track to make his 2025 debut Sunday on the road against Cincinnati. Booker figures to handle a depth role in Chicago's defensive end rotation behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo.
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Bears' Austin Booker: Won't return Sunday
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Booker (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Ravens, Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com reports.
The second-year pro from Kansas practiced in full throughout the week, but it now appears he's not ready to return from IR just yet. Booker has yet to play this year after recording 21 total tackles, including 1.5 sacks, across 17 games during his rookie season.
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Bears' Austin Booker: Begins week with full practice
Rotowire
Booker (knee) participated in practice fully Wednesday.
Booker is still on injured reserve, though he was designated to return Oct. 7. He has until Oct. 28 to be activated or else be forced to miss the remainder of the season. Booker was able to log a trio of full practices last week, so he seems to be closing in on a return.
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Bears' Austin Booker: Ruled out for MNF
Rotowire
Booker (knee) has been downgraded to out for Monday night's game versus Washington.
Booker remains on injured reserve and wasn't activated ahead of the Bears' Week 6 date with the Commanders. He was designated for return Tuesday, which opened his 21-day practice window. Booker's next chance to suit up will be Sunday against the Saints.
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Bears' Austin Booker: Practices fully Thursday
Rotowire
Booker (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Booker remains on injured reserve and has yet to play this season, but the Bears opened his 21-day practice window earlier this week, and he appears to have a good shot at suiting up against Washington on Monday night.
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Bears' Austin Booker: Designated for return
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Booker (knee) was designated for return from injured reserve by Chicago on Tuesday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.
This opens Booker's 21-day practice window for activation. He's yet to appear in a game this season after playing in all 17 regular-season contests as a rookie in 2024.
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Bears' Austin Booker: Sent to injured reserve
Rotowire
The Bears placed Booker (knee) on injured reserve Thursday.
Booker will be required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. Selected in the fifth round of the 2024 Draft, Booker appeared in all 17 regular-season games as a rookie last season, logging 21 tackles (14 solo), including 1.5 sacks.
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Bears' Austin Booker: In jeopardy to miss Week 1
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Head coach Ben Johnson told reporters Friday that Booker is going to be out for "a few weeks" due to a knee injury, Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Booker suffered the injury during the Bears' second preseason game against the Bills, which prevented him from playing against the Chiefs on Friday. The 2024 fifth-rounder is projected to serve in a rotational role at defensive end behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo. Dominique Robinson (ankle), Tanoh Kpassagnon and Daniel Hardy would be candidates to step into a backup role on the Bears' defensive line if Booker cannot suit up in Week 1 against the Vikings on Monday, Sept. 8.
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Bears' Austin Booker: Scooped up by Chicago in Round 5
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The Bears selected Booker in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 144th overall.
This looks like a nice pick for Chicago, because Booker is probably one of the more talented edge rushers in the draft. The catch is that Booker (6-foot-5, 240 pounds) might need development time or/and time to bulk up before he can play regular snaps, and he might be a healthy scratch up to that point. The Kansas product probably hurt his stock at the NFL Combine between the low weigh-in and the resultingly disappointing 4.79-second 40-yard dash, but he likely would have had a more well-rounded workout if he had the benefit of another year or two of development, as he has only 18 games of college experience.
