Welp, things just went from bad to worse for the Chicago Bears at the linebacker position.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Bears have placed linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and running back Roschon Johnson on IR. Edmunds has been dealing with a groin injury that ruled him out for the Week 12 Pittsburgh Steelers game. Johnson has also been dealing with a thumb injury, which has kept him out.
ESPN Bears reporter Courtney Cronin added that Chicago is signing running back Brittain Brown and linebacker Carl Jones Jr. as their replacements. Brown got a rushing touchdown for the Bears in their win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bears placed placed Tremaine Edmunds and Roschon Johnson on IR. Significant blow to the Bears defense given the season Edmunds was having. He’s eligible to return ahead of Bears-Packers on Dec. 20.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) November 22, 2025
The Bears also signed RB Brittain Brown and LB Carl Jones Jr. to the 53-man…
Could things get any worse for the Bears on defense?
Edmunds has been the leader of this defense and one of their top players. He's tied for second in the NFL in interceptions, alongside teammate Nahshon Wright, with four. Edmunds also has 89 tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, one sack, and nine pass deflections.
This Chicago Bears defense has just been plagued with injuries all over the place. They have three cornerbacks on IR, including starters Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. Their starting defensive end, Dayo Odeyingbo, is out for the season after getting hurt in the Bengals game. To top it off, linebackers T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell will not play against the Steelers, as Edwards has missed consecutive games with a hand injury.
Despite all these injuries, this defense has somehow created 22 turnovers during the regular season, the most in the NFL. When it comes to yards allowed, this defense has been in the bottom 10 in that department.
Chicago will be leaning more on younger, more inexperienced guys at linebacker with D'Marco Jackson and rookie fourth-round pick Ruben Hyppolite II, who are expected to be the starters against the Steelers. Jackson and Hyppolite are both making their first career starts.
This will certainly test Dennis Allen's abilities as the defensive coordinator and show how he handles his development. He might have to move some other players around to different positions, like he did with C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Read more: Ian Rapoport share Bears fans Steelers injury news (but not about Aaron Rodgers)
The Bears are so close to making the postseason and can't afford any setbacks. This will make their lives a lot harder.