Bears add roster reinforcements to the defensive line by activating Austin Booker and signing another former Packers defender
The Chicago Bears were in need of some defensive line help after recent injuries.
The Chicago Bears suffered more than just a loss on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens with the defense losing two more rotational players, putting another position in a bind.
Rookie defensive lineman Shemar Turner suffered a torn ACL in the loss and will be out for the season. Defensive end Dominique Robinson suffered a high ankle sprain on the opening kickoff that’s expected to keep him out of the next few weeks. Turner was obviously placed on the injured reserve but Robinson was not, a sign he could be back within the next four games.
Two big blows to the defensive line that’s struggled to defend the run and pressure the quarterback throughout much of the 2025 season thus far. But, the Bears added some roster reinforcements on Tuesday to help bolster the depth on the defensive front.
Bears activate Austin Booker from the injured reserve, add Jonathan Garvin to the practice squad
Austin Booker is the big name rejoining the active roster, finally. The second-year defensive end suffered a knee injury in the second preseason game after totaling 5.0 sacks in the preseason opener and in his limited action in the second game.
Booker’s 21-day practice window to return from the injured reserve opened on October 7th and the Bears waited until the final day of his practice window to officially activate him back to the 53-man roster. Head coach Ben Johnson noted the team was comfortable with the players the team had available the last three weeks when asked about the decision to wait out activating Booker.
After the latest injuries and with an expiring window, the coaching staff had no choice but to finally make the decision. Booker’s return is expected to bring some boost off the edge rotating in behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo and he should see a significant amount of snaps out of the gate.
“Booker’s been chomping at the bit for a while,” Johnson said, via Bears Etc. Podcast. “I think this will time up nice for his return.”
As for Jonathan Garvin, the former seventh round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2020 adds some more depth to the position if needed on the practice squad. Garvin played 38 games in three seasons as a reserve edge rusher for the Packers and spent time in the UFL. He spent the 2025 preseason with the San Francisco 49ers before being released.
During Chicago’s Week 5 bye week, the team brought Garvin in for a workout and clearly kept in touch in case an addition needed to be made at the position. Chicago had an open practice squad spot available after signing defensive tackle Jonathan Ford (another former Packers’ seventh-round pick) from the practice squad onto the 53-man roster ahead of Week 8.
Chicago is hoping Booker, especially, can help improve the team’s pass rush and aid in defending against the run off the edge. Garvin gives the team more in-house security at the position to call up if needed throughout the rest of the season.
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