The Chicago Bears will host the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football in Week 1, where they’re looking to kick off the Ben Johnson era on a winning note. But they could be without starting linebacker T.J. Edwards.

The Bears defense gets the advantage of facing a first-time starting quarterback in Minnesota’s J.J. McCarthy, but it’s still no guarantee of success. But Johnson said he’s looking at all three phases to do whatever it takes to win this football game and start the season 1-0.

Advertisement

Chicago is also dealing with injuries to a pair of defensive starters in Edwards and cornerback Jaylon Johnson. While Johnson appears on track to return to the lineup, the recent injury update for Edwards isn’t encouraging.

T.J. Edwards injury update

Bears head coach Ben Johnson said on Saturday that linebacker T.J. Edwards is doubtful to play in Monday night’s game against the Vikings. Edwards suffered a hamstring injury recently, and it’s been nearly a week and a half since he last practiced. There’s no timeline for a potential return, but it’s encouraging that Edwards remains on the active roster.

Will T.J. Edwards play vs. Vikings?

Edwards has been dealing with a hamstring injury that has held him out of practice this week. Before Saturday’s practice, head coach Ben Johnson told reporters that Edwards is doubtful, which means it’s unlikely that he will play in the Week 1 opener against the Vikings, leaving Chicago without a core defensive starter.

Advertisement

Who would replace T.J. Edwards in the lineup?

Tremaine Edmunds will have a new running mate, assuming Edwards misses this prime-time matchup. It’ll most likely be third-year pro Noah Sewell, who was a summer standout, getting the start in Edwards’ place. Head coach Ben Johnson was asked about fourth-round rookie Ruben Hyppolite II seeing the field, and Johnson confirmed Hyppolite will see action on defense, as well as special teams. So it’ll be Chicago’s pair of young linebackers in Sewell and Hyppolite stepping up in Edwards’ place.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: T.J. Edwards injury update: Latest from Bears coach Ben Johnson