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Bears Missing Impact Players and Top Rookies on Day One of Mini Camp

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 8:37 PM ET

The Chicago Bears officially opened their first mandatory mini camp today under new head coach Ben Johnson, who’s looking to lay the groundwork for a disciplined, focused culture. But while drills and assessments kicked off at Halas Hall, fans and reporters couldn’t help but notice the absences piling up. From veteran starters to newly drafted rookies, several names were missing or limited.

Zach Pearson, a credentialed Bears beat reporter for Bear Report and 247Sports, posted a full list on X (formerly Twitter), confirming the absences from Tuesday’s practice:
‘#Bears minicamp practice is in the books.
I did not see the following players out here:

Kyler Gordon
Terell Smith
Amen Ogbongbemiga
TJ Edwards
Braxton Jones (was on bike briefly)
Ryan Bates
Colston Loveland
Luther Burden
Stephen Carlson
Zacch Pickens
Ian Wheeler was back but did not participate in team drills. Jaylon Johnson was here but not participating in team drills.’

#Bears minicamp practice is in the books.

I did not see the following players out here:

- Kyler Gordon
- Terell Smith
- Amen Ogbongbemiga
- TJ Edwards
- Braxton Jones (was on bike briefly)
- Ryan Bates
- Colston Loveland
- Luther Burden
- Stephen Carlson
- Zacch Pickens…
— Zack Pearson (@Zack_Pearson) June 3, 2025

Among the more notable absentees were key defensive contributors from last season such as linebacker TJ Edwards and cornerback Kyler Gordon. On the offensive side, left tackle Braxton Jones and versatile lineman Ryan Bates were also among those sidelined. First-round rookie tight end Colston Loveland, who is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, and second-round wideout Luther Burden—both expected to play significant roles in 2025—were also on the list.

While the list of non-participants may feel significant, it’s not entirely uncommon at this stage of the offseason. Early mini camp sessions often come with a mix of cautious injury management, conditioning recovery, and player evaluations. Still, for a team introducing a new system under Johnson, the hope will be to get these key contributors and young talents back on the field sooner rather than later.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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