In a potential blow to the Chicago Bears defense for the season opener, middle linebacker T.J. Edwards was listed as a nonparticipant in Thursday’s estimated practice report.
Running back Roschon Johnson also was listed as a did not participate.
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Depth at both positions are stressed. Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga and running back Travis Homer are both on injured reserve.
Edwards, 29, was second on the Bears last season with 129 tackles and added four sacks and an interception.
Meanwhile, cornerback Jaylon Johnson and running back Kyle Monangai were listed as limited participants. The Bears didn’t practice Thursday, but the report was an estimation of players’ readiness.
Here’s the full listing.
Full participants: WR Devin Duvernay (hamstring), DE Dominique Robinson (oblique)
Limited participants: RB Kyle Monangai (hamstring), CB Jaylon Johnson (groin, calf)
Did not participate: RB Roschon Johnson (foot), CB Josh Blackwell (groin), LB T.J. Edwards (hamstring)
The news is reason for some measured optimism. Monangai appears closer to being ready for Monday night’s season opener against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field.
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The rookie seventh-round pick out of Rutgers told the Tribune on Wednesday that the team’s heavy usage of starting running back D’Andre Swift during training camp “had me taking it easy, not wanting to rush me back to it too soon. But I’m making good progress and I feel good.”
Monangai’s availability to back up Swift would be critical. Roschon Johnson is the only other back on the active roster. When asked whether his foot might be healed enough from him to play in the opener, Roschon Johnson told the Tribune on Tuesday: “It’s progressing, getting better. Just taking it a day at a time. Let’s make sure we don’t rush anything.”
Meanwhile, Jaylon Johnson’s readiness will be just as critical. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, he is the Bears’ top cover man, with Vikings star wideout Justin Jefferson coming to town.
“I definitely want to see (No.) 1 back for sure,” safety Jaquan Brisker told reporters Wednesday. “I know he’s itching to get back, I’m itching to see him get back because we left out with a good note during the summer, so I know what the fall’s going to come. I’ve already seen him put in the body of work.”