The Chicago Bears are in their bye week, doing their homework on the players who have played, but it's also a time to start working out backup plans.
Chicago hasn't had to lean on its practice squad much this season, but it has used those players. The running back position has already seen two practice squad players help out so far.
Five players from the Bears' practice squad could end up helping this team when fans least expect it. Here's a look at those guys.
5 Bears practice squad players who might become important in 2026
Salvon Ahmed, RB
How awesome was it to watch Ahmed play in an NFL regular season game for the first time since 2023? He was the Bears' most efficient running back in their 27-24 Week 9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ahmed ran five times for 25 yards, averaging five yards per carry.
Kyle Monangai will most likely play again after the bye week, leaving Ahmed back on the practice squad. Still, he proved he could be called up again if the team needed him on special teams or to fill in for another running back down the road.
Elijah Jones, DB
With the luck the Bears have had with injuries in the secondary, there is always a chance any of Chicago's defensive backs on the practice squad could be playing this season. They've dealt with injuries to Malik Muhammad and Tyrique Stevenson over the last few weeks, and they already lost Coby Bryant before the season began. Jones will have the edge over the others, as he is young and could see the field depending on how things go for the rest of the season goe.
Last year, he played for the Arizona Cardinals and got three tackles and two pass deflections. Jones might be more of a special teams guy for the Bears if they call him up, but he could be impactful if injuries keep happening.
Scotty Miller, WR
There's an argument that Kaden Davis could be the wide receiver to watch for a call-up because of his return-specialist abilities, but Miller would likely get the call first. Miller is a veteran receiver who has made big plays in some of the most important moments, including the Buccaneers' NFC Title game in the 2020 season.
Luther Burden III's concussion in the Bucs game might not be as serious since the Bears are on a bye, but it raises questions about how the injury would have been handled if they had played in Week 10. Miller could see the field this season on offense and would be a reliable target in the passing game.
Wesley Matthews III, LB
Chicago has been living dangerously close to the edge in linebacker depth; for most of the season, they have had four on the active roster. Matthews is the lone linebacker on the practice squad, so he's a guy to watch.
The interesting thing about Matthews is that he doesn't have regular season experience, but he is a guy the Bears like to have on the team. Special teams would be the most he would do, but that could be what the Bears need after losing Zavier Scott to injury.
Read more: Bears midseason awards: Caleb Williams not the MVP, Austin Booker wins big
Qadir Ismail, TE
Cole Kmet's season-ending injury had left the Bears short at the tight end position. With Colston Loveland and Sam Roush holding it down with the top two spots on the depth chart, there's a chance that Ismail is one injury away from being called up.
Ismail hasn't played in a regular season game, but Kmet's injury opened the door for him to play. He has been on the team since last season, so he knows the offense well enough that if he needed to go out there, he could do the job.
Add us as a preferred source on Google