Ahead of their 2024 season-opening game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Soldier Field, the Chicago Bears released their first official injury report of the season on Wednesday.
#Bears Wednesday Injury Report pic.twitter.com/gfkRoND4Ce
— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) September 4, 2024
Throughout the preseason, the Bears saw several key players miss time but the team was not required to provide an official injury report. With Keenan Allen, Montez Sweat, and Ryan Bates returning to practice in recent days, it seemed like a good sign that all three would be good to go once preparations began this week for the game against the Titans. Even while practicing in a limited capacity on Wednesday, the arrow is likely trending in the right direction in terms of each of those players being ready for Sunday.
In the case of Bates, it seems that the injury that kept him sidelined for most of the preseason is the reason why he is not the team's starting center. When the Bears dealt for Bates last March, the plan seemed to be for him to be the starting center. Bates' injury cleared the way for Coleman Shelton to win the position, given that he had the majority of the work with Caleb Williams.
Bears vs. Titans Week 1: Chicago Bears injury report
We also gain more insight into the injuries that kept second-year players Roschon Johnson and Zacch Pickens sidelined for most of the preseason.
Johnson has been dealing with a toe injury in what is a disappointing start to his sophomore season in the NFL. Many expected Johnson to be the breakout performer in the Bears' offense during his rookie season in 2023, but injuries thwarted his development. With a running back room that includes D'Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert, and, now, Velus Jones Jr., Johnson may struggle to find consistent carries this season.
Pickens's lack of progression during his rookie season disappointed some. He seems to have fallen near the bottom of the Bears' defensive tackle depth chart and could be lost if he struggles to stay healthy this season.