The Chicago Bears have one more week of practice to determine if they will restore defensive end Austin Booker to the 53-man roster. It’s not going to happen for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field.
The Bears (3-2) cleared a roster spot Friday when they released defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon and filled that space with running back Travis Homer, whom the team activated from injured reserve Saturday afternoon.
The team also elevated kicker Jake Moody, who will replace Cairo Santos for the second straight week, and defensive tackle Jonathan Ford from the practice squad. Kpassagnon was re-signed to the practice squad.
Homer, who has been sidelined since preseason with a calf injury, is a core special teams contributor who will fit into that role immediately. Homer and Booker, who is coming off a knee injury, first returned to practice Oct. 7, opening a 21-day window to evaluate them.
Booker has been listed as a full participant in practice for two weeks, but obviously the team doesn’t believe he’s quite where he needs to be to rejoin the mix for a pass rush looking for a spark even after getting three sacks of Jayden Daniels in Monday’s 25-24 road victory against the Washington Commanders. That gave the defense eight sacks for the season.
Although the practice window extends just beyond the Oct. 26 game in Baltimore against the Ravens, the Bears effectively have three practices next week to make a determination on what they want to do with Booker. If they do not activate him to the 53-man roster, he will spend the remainder of the season on IR.
Booker led the NFL with four sacks in preseason, and the club has been optimistic he can make an impact in his second year. Because he has been a full participant in practice, there probably isn’t reason to be alarmed. At the same time, the team likely hoped Booker could help by now.
Looking a little deeper into the moves, Homer’s availability is a boost for special teams coordinator Richard Hightower at any time. But with linebacker Noah Sewell out with a concussion, a need was present on special teams.
This is the third consecutive game the Bears have elevated Ford from the practice squad, the maximum number of times a player can be flexed to the game-day roster. If the Bears want to utilize Ford moving forward — he played 16 snaps against the Commanders — he will require a spot on the 53.
Along those lines, the team could use Moody next week in Baltimore as a practice squad elevation. If Santos’ right thigh injury remains an issue after that, the Bears would have to consider carrying two kickers on the roster. Because Santos has not been placed on IR, it’s clear they do not believe it will come to that.
Moody was 4-for-5 on field goals Monday, including the game-winner from 38 yards as time expired.
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