Bears Injury Tracker: Several starters face lingering concerns that could shape 2026 offseason plans and outlook for next season
T.J. Edwards, Shemar Turner, and Ozzy Trapilo are on the list of recovering players.
The Chicago Bears dealt with their fair share of injury issues throughout the 2025-26 season, particularly on the defensive side of the ball which really limited what defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was able to achieve with that unit.
Multiple starters suffered season-ending injuries on both sides of the ball as well that will continue to impact the team’s offseason plans and some could easily linger into the 2026 season. With the offseason now underway, let’s round up those injury concerns and explore how it can shape the next few months for the Bears.
LB T.J. Edwards (fractured fibula)
Edwards suffered a fractured fibula in the team’s wild card win over the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 10. The team’s standout linebacker dealt with multiple other injuries throughout the season after signing two-year, $20 million contract extension. The 4-6 month recovery timeline will knock Edwards out for the majority of the offseason schedule, but there’s a shot he could return for the start of the season.
LT Ozzy Trapilo (patellar tendon injury)
The extent of Trapilo’s patellar tendon injury was never fully disclosed, which makes his offseason outlook a bit blurry due to the nature of the injury. If it’s a full tear, Trapilo is looking at a lengthy rehab process that could last into 2027 in terms of getting back to full health. Best case scenario, players recovering from torn patellar tendon can be back in 6-12 months, but a lot goes into it. The easiest comparison for Trapilo is Kansas City Chiefs tackle Josh Simmons, who tore his patellar tendon in mid-October of 2024 and returned for training camp in June of 2025 (8 months). But, if it’s a full rupture for Trapilo, he would miss multiple weeks to start the regular season.
DE Dayo Odeyingbo (torn Achilles tendon)
Odeyingbo suffered a torn Achilles on Nov. 2 after signing a three-year, $48 million contract with the Bears in free agency. A 9-12 month recovery timeline for a torn Achilles puts Odeyingbo’s return date between early August and early November. Depending on how quick the recovery goes, he could be back for Week 1, although it’s more likely he starts the season on IR and misses the first four games.
LB Noah Sewell (torn Achilles tendon)
A similar injury occurred with Sewell, one of the team’s upcoming restricted free agents. Sewell suffered his injury on Dec. 28 putting his potential return window between late September and late December. Given that he’s a RFA coming off a severe injury, the Bears likely won’t use the tender and will instead determine whether or not to bring him back as an unrestricted free agent.
DL Shemar Turner (torn ACL)
The team’s second-round rookie tore his ACL on Oct. 26 and it was a shame because he was just starting to find his stride playing off the edge. Nowadays, an ACL recovery time can be closer to 8-9 months. For context, Patrick Mahomes tore his on Dec. 14 and is hoping for a Week 1 return and Micah Parsons is aiming for a Week 3 return after tearing his on Dec. 14 as well. Turner has a good shot to be back for training camp at the earliest.
CB Terell Smith (torn patellar tendon)
Smith suffered his injury ahead of the regular season and still has one-year remaining on his rookie contract. He’s a player that was making a lot of progress during the offseason in the new scheme. The six-12 month recovery timeline should allow him to be back for the end of the offseason schedule.
More notable injuries for the offseason
- CB Zah Frazier: Missed his entire rookie season with a “personal” matter but announced he’s medically cleared on Jan. 8. The reason for his absence in 2025 was never clarified, but the team is optimistic he will be a part of the 2026 plans.
- CB Jaylon Johnson: General manager Ryan Poles releveled that Johnson suffered a “minor” wrist injury in the team’s divisional round loss but will not require surgery. Johnson previously missed 10 games with a groin injury that required surgery.
- WR Rome Odunze: Missed five games with a stress fracture in his foot but returned for the two postseason games. Odunze told reporters on Monday that he will not have to have surgery.
- OT Kiran Amegadjie: Placed on the IR on Sept. 20 and never activated due to an elbow injury. The full extent of said injury was never revealed but shouldn’t keep him out too long into 2026.
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