Bears Set to Get Major Boost Ahead of Commanders Matchup

“I’ve been annoyed not playing,” Gordon said. “But like, mood been good just attacking rehab, but definitely excited to be out and that’s all I been looking forward to is playing with my guys and helping the team.”

The Bears’ defense has been disappointing this season, giving up an average of 29 points per game, tied with the Miami Dolphins for third-most in the NFL. Gordon, who signed a three-year, $40 million extension earlier this offseason, is a valuable member of the team and will be a huge boost the Bears need to stop Jayden Daniels and the Commanders’ offense.

More Good News on the Defensive Front

It’s not just Gordon that the Bears will be getting back. Bears head coach Ben Johnson announced that the 21-day practice window has opened for defensive end Austin Booker and running back Travis Homer. Both players have been on injured reserve (IR) and now have the ability to be elevated to the 53-man roster.

The big story surrounds Booker, who had a strong preseason and was projected to be the third pass rusher behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo. He’s been sidelined since August 17th with a knee injury, but the hope is that he will return soon.

“You felt the pass rush there, particularly in the game setting,” Johnson said before practice on Tuesday. “I saw it in practice and the joint practices as well. He [Austin Booker] was a guy that was able to affect the quarterback. That’s something that we talked about as a unit today: points of emphasis, where we can improve. Obviously it’s the penalties, it’s the run game, but affecting the quarterback, we’re not doing a good enough job of it.”

Now, with Booker potentially coming back to the active roster soon, the hope is that he can be a player who helps turn the Bears’ pass rush around. “That’s really where I saw Booker making the biggest impact in the preseason,” Johnson said. “We’ll have to see where he is now back on the practice field.”

Booker is hopeful he can return in the game against the Commanders, saying, “I feel extremely conditioned, but football conditioning is completely different. You can’t really prepare for that. But I feel amazing. …I am itching to get out there and go hit the quarterback.”

All around good news for a Bears team that’s struggled with injuries. Adding Gordon back will be huge, and the hope is that Booker and Homer can return as soon as possible.