The nightmare of not having linebacker Tremaine Edmunds on the field is officially over for the Chicago Bears.
Just hours before their Week 16 showdown against the Green Bay Packers, the Bears announce that they are activating Edmunds from the IR. They also announce they are elevating wide receiver Maurice Alexander from the practice squad.
Edmunds has missed the last four games with a groin injury and is now in a position to play. Alexander is active for the Bears for the first time this season, stepping in for Rome Oduzne and Luther Burden III, who are both out with injuries.
Bears getting some reinforcement for the biggest game of the season against Green Bay
This season, Edmunds was leading the team in tackles with 89 before his injury and also had nine pass deflections and four interceptions on the season. He will be joining a linebacker room that's looking a lot better with T.J. Edwards, D'Marco Jackson, Noah Sewell, and Ruben Hyppolite II.
At wide receiver, Alexander is no stranger to Bears head coach Ben Johnson's offensive system, as he played under Johnson with the Detroit Lions from 2022 through 2024. Alexander has one catch for seven yards in his career.
Chicago will have DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus as the main starters at wide receiver. Filling in for Odunze and Burden will be Devin Duvernay, undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker, and Alexander.
Watch for Moore and Zaccheaus get more reps and targets than the rest of the group. Walker only had eight snaps on offense this season, while Duvernay has contributed little to the offense.
Read more: Jeremy Fowler confirms D'Andre Swift's fate ahead of Week 16 matchup with Packers
Chicago got some much-needed good news before the Packers game. All the fans need to know is who will be inactive for the Bears, and then the kickoff can begin.