Tough Bears decision arrives with Austin Booker's return now looming

So it would seem Bears fans finally could see Booker this week. His 21-day window to return opened Oct. 7, although it's possible they could keep him on IR and then activate him on the day after the Ravens game but this would uncommon. In most cases, teams get a look at a player during the week in practice prior to a game before a player is activated.

In Booker's case, though, the Bears have seen him going through full practices since his window began, and he has been deemed ready to go through the daily injury reports. He just hasn't been activated. Booker suffered a knee injury that didn't require surgery back during the second preseason game with Buffalo on a special teams play.

Booker brings something to the Bears pass rush they've lacked with several other edge rushers.

That would be speed.

He is a lighter (6-foot-6, 245 pounds), athletic edge rusher and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has a scheme heavily reliant on bigger, more stout defensive ends in the 280-pound range.

This doesn't rule out using a rotational edge for  pass rush situations, although in New Orleans Allen didn't really have this type of player through most of his years as defensive coordinator and head coach.

The problem with activating Booker is someone will need to  be pulled from the 53-man roster and then possibly placed on the practice squad.

If it's reserve edge Daniel Hardy, it would mean losing a valued special teams player.

Fourth-year 275-pound edge Dominique Robinson has a role similar to Booker's but does have 1 1/2 sacks and three pressures in six games.

It seems as though he is starting to be more consistent in his fourth year. Starter Dayo Odeyingbo has one sack and five pressures.

It's going to be a difficult decision and there are not a lot of players overstacked  at other positions to allow for another defensive end on the roster.

Injuries beyond Booker

The Bears also have linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga on injured reserve and his window is open to return, but last week they started D'Marco Jackson at strongside linebacker for injured Noah Sewell. Jackson made a tackle and a pass breakup in for 14 defensive plays, and also was in on 19 special teams plays. Sewell has a concussion and hasn't cleared the NFL protocol.

The injury situation after Sunday's game included a shoulder injury to starting cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and a back injury to tight end Cole Kmet.

“We’ll find out more on Wednesday for sure, but we’re thinking more day to day, week to week right now," Johnson said of those two injuries.

Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett could be back this week from a knee injury, as well. Jarrett had a limited practice on Friday but was among game day inactives even though he said last week he felt good enough to return.

“We'll see," Johnson said. "We got him back there in practice. That was Friday. We'll see what it looks like next week in terms of his availability for next Sunday.”