Chicago Bears: 2 pass-rushers suffer significant injuries

Imagn Images

Chicago Bears: 2 pass-rushers suffer significant injuries

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Aug 27, 2026 1:42 PM ET

The Chicago Bears will be entering their joint practice with the Tennessee Titans shorthanded as two key players on the defensive line battle injuries late in training camp this week.

Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter is reportedly being shopped by the team, taking phone calls on potential trades for the 2023 second-round pick set to play on the final contract of his rookie deal. Dexter finished second on the Bears in sacks, taking the quarterback down six times in 2025.

Per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Dexter did not travel with the team to Tennessee due to a hamstring issue. In addition to Dexter, defensive end Austin Booker is week-to-week with a groin injury.

Chicago Bears have two pass-rushers battling injury

Nov 2, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; An NFL emblem celebrating Salute to Service month is seen on the helmet of Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

“Bears DE Austin Booker is week-to-week with a groin injury,” Biggs posted on X. “DT Gervon Dexter did not make the trip to Nashville. He has a hamstring issue.”

The Bears did not make any splashy moves to improve a defensive line that was one of the worst in rushing the quarterback last season. Chicago was counting on Booker to take a leap in his third season in the league along with the hope that a motivated Dayo Odeyingbo would show improvement this fall.

The troubling status of Booker comes as second-year defensive lineman Shemar Turner is not expected to return from an ACL he suffered last season until around October.

The Bears were hoping that improved coverage in the secondary would help to mask issues with the defensive line this season. However, cornerback Kyler Gordon has not practiced in training camp due to a soft-tissue injury and the biggest signing of free agency, safety Coby Bryant, will miss much of the upcoming season after needing surgery for a knee injury he sustained early in camp.

The Bears will play their final preseason game of the year on Saturday against the Titans, the last time for the coaching staff to decide how to deal with depth issues on defense via players already on the roster.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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