One of the Chicago Bears' biggest questions entering the 2024 season is how will the team generate a consistent pass rush.
While the Bears took a step in addressing that question at the NFL Trade Deadline last season when they acquired Montez Sweat, there was some disappointment among fans that they did not add a legitimate defensive end to pair with Sweat during the offseason.
The Bears' first depth chart of the regular season highlighted DeMarcus Walker as the starting defensive end on the opposite side of Sweat but the team's updated injury report seems to put that in jeopardy.
#Bears Thursday Injury Report pic.twitter.com/5RLwfLUaiL
— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) September 5, 2024
Thursday's Chicago Bears' injury report has a new addition.
After not appearing on the injury report on Wednesday, Walker was a limited participant on Thursday due a groin injury. Depending on the severity of Walker's groin injury, that may put his status for Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans in question.
If Walker is unable to play on Sunday, the Bears will have an early look at fifth-round pick Austin Booker. Booker flashed in the preseason, given his ability to consistently generate pressure, which is one of the reasons why Ryan Poles had to have him when he was still available in the fifth round of the draft this past offseason.
Other than that, the only other notable change was that Ryan Bates was elevated to being a full participant. There remains the expectation that of all the players on the Bears' injury report, Bates and Allen will be good to go for the season opener on Sunday.
We'd be remiss if we did not salute the veteran status of tight end Marcedes Lewis. The 2024 season will mark Lewis' 19th year in the NFL and given that longevity, he earns the right to have a veteran's day ahead of the first game of the regular season.