The Chicago Bears are getting set for kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons, which is just under 90 minutes away. Ahead of kickoff, the Bears released the final inactives list that includes another defensive starter and the final decision on the QB position.

Here’s the full list of inactives for the Chicago Bears:

• CB Tyrique Stevenson (hamstring)
• RB Kyle Monangai (toe)
• LB T.J. Edwards (hamstring)
• LB Keyshaun Elliott (quadriceps)
• QB Case Keenum
• OL Jordan McFadden
• DT Jayden Loving

Tyrique Stevenson’s absence adds another concern for the team’s short-handed defense

The Chicago Bears already had a tough challenge going into Sunday’s game when it comes to trying to defend running back Bijan Robinson. And now the Bears plan to go into Sunday’s game without the following defensive starters: Stevenson, Edwards, Montez Sweat (suspended), and Dayo Odeyingbo (injured reserve).

Stevenson’s inactive status might be a blessing in disguise for him. He’s been dealing with minor injuries off and on since training camp and this hamstring injury continues to pop up for him. Shutting him down is for the best to allow him time to properly heal.

However, it’ll be a big loss not having Stevenson for this game. He’s a strong open field tackler on the outside and would have been a big asset to have against Robinson and Atlanta’s outside zone scheme.

“I think the message to our guys and what we’re trying to bring to Sunday is it takes all 11,” head coach Ben Johnson said. “It’s not just – I know the focus will be on the D-line and whether it’s gap integrity or knockback or all those popular terms up front and yet our linebackers have to play really sound football and we’re going to need our little guys here this week to show up for us. That’s the hard part when you get a dynamic running game like this and then also they’ve got these weapons on the outside too. It’s hard to defend all of it and so we’re going to need our guys to play really their best game on defense yet this year to keep these guys contained.”

The Bears will have one big boost back in the secondary with slot cornerback Kyler Gordon set to make his season debut, although he’ll likely be on a pitch count.

When Gordon is on the field, that’ll allow rookie Malik Muhammad II to kick outside in Stevenson’s place while Cam Lewis takes over at safety following the release of Xavier Woods. The Bears also have Clark Phillips III and Nick McCloud to mix in on Sunday.

QB hierarchy has been decided behind Caleb Williams

It was reported on Saturday that quarterback Caleb Williams is expected to start following a three-game absence and now that has been confirmed by the team. However, how the QB room looks behind him was a topic of conversation as well.

That decision has now been officially made. Tyson Bagent will serve as Williams’ immediate backup while Case Keenum will be the emergency third quarterback. That means Keenum cannot see the field unless both Williams and Bagent are injured. Ideally, it won’t have to reach that point, but we’ve seen crazy things happen before.

Other roster notes ahead of Sunday’s game

Defensive end Jamree Kromah will be active for the first time this season (healthy inactive in Weeks 1-5) with Sweat and Odeyingbo not playing. Austin Booker will be one starter at EDGE while Kromah, Shemar Turner, and James Lynch will all rotate in as well.

With Jordan McFadden inactive, that means Ozzy Trapilo will be active for the first time this season as well. Theo Benedet will start at left tackle, but the Bears are expected to give a few reps to Trapilo to see how he looks in a live game setting.

With Kyle Monangai out, the Bears will turn to D’Andre Swift as the featured starter with Roschon Johnson and Zavier Scott being options as well to split up the workload.

“We’re not going to have a back that’s going to take 50-plus snaps in a game,” Johnson said. “I think that’s just not prudent in a 17-game season to wear guys down like that. We don’t have that 240, 250-pound back on this roster. We believe in running back by committee and spreading out those carries. Feel good about the guys up front being able to move the line of scrimmage enough to give all those guys chances. So, no, I don’t think there’s any discrepancy in terms of the play count or anything like that. We just know we want to spread that load out.”