The Chicago Bears are getting ready for a joint practice session against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday leading up to Saturday’s preseason finale between the two teams.

Ahead of Thursday’s practice, head coach Ben Johnson revealed two starting pass rushers are currently dealing with injuries that could play a significant role in the team’s upcoming Week 1 game against the Carolina Panthers.

Austin Booker is week-to-week with a groin injury

We have not seen defensive end Austin Booker since last Thursday’s joint practice against the Cincinnati Bengals. Booker was not out there during Saturday’s game with the rest of the defensive starters and was not out there during the two days of practice earlier this week. Finally, we got a question and answer on Booker’s status.

“He’s banged up,” Johnson said of Booker. “He’s working through a groin [injury] and it will be more week-to-week in terms of his availability.”

The problem with a week-to-week timeline is that the Bears are quickly running out of weeks to get people ready for the regular season opener on Sept. 13. It’s unfortunate for Booker, who was expected to be a breakout player and hopefully he’s back out there sooner than later and avoids the short-term IR designation after roster cuts. If not, he would be forced to miss the first four games of the season.

Gervon Dexter Sr. dealing with hamstring injury amid trade rumors

Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. is the other starter currently dealing with an injury issue. Dexter left Tuesday’s practice with trainers and did not make the trip out to Nashville with the rest of the team. Johnson was short with his answer regarding Dexter only noting that he’s dealing with a hamstring injury.

Putting on your conspiracy caps, it’s worth noting that trade rumors started circulating about Dexter again on Tuesday after he left practice. So, is he actually dealing with something, or are the Bears keeping him off the field until a trade materializes? That’ll be something worth monitoring ahead of Sunday’s roster cuts.

Who will step up for the Chicago Bears’ pass rush

Looking ahead to Week 1, potentially being without Booker and/or Dexter would be significant losses on paper, but the Bears are more than prepared to deal with it.

Off the edge, the Bears would start Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo in the scenario that Booker misses time. If Booker lands on the IR, I could also see Jamree Kromah getting a roster spot along with Daniel Hardy. Another name that could get more involved during Week 0 next week and potentially be acclimated by Week 1 is Marcus Davenport, who hasn’t practiced since being signed on on Aug. 17.

“He’s not dealing with anything,” Johnson said of Davenport. “We want to make sure we’re being smart with him. He’s a player that’s missed a lot of time over the last three years. He’s being integrated into the program from conditioning, to strength program, drill work, and we’re slowly ramping him into it.”

As for the defensive tackle spot, if the Bears part ways with Dexter or he isn’t healthy by Week 1, Grady Jarrett will need a new running mate up-front. Veteran Neville Gallimore could easily fill that role with Jordan van den Berg rotating in, the latter being a player the Bears have really been thrilled with the last few weeks.