Montez Sweat lands on NFI list

Per Biggs, the Bears believe Jones did not suffer a “significant injury,” but it is unclear as to whether he will need time off. Reports on Sweat have been tougher to find. We do not yet know his status. Jones’ primary backup, OT Ozzy Trapilo, is expected to be sidelined “deep” into the season after rupturing a patellar tendon late last season. These injuries are worth watching.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport called the issue a “short-term illness” when Sweat was first placed on the NFI list. It was indeed a short stay for Sweat, and he should be back at practice on Thursday. Sweat’s 10 sacks in 2025 were the second-best mark of his career. He nearly doubled his total from the previous season. He remains one of the biggest contributors on Chicago’s defense heading into his age-30 season.

Sweat missed Wednesday’s practice but returned on Thursday and was then upgraded to a full session before being listed as questionable. We fully expect him to play through the injury on Sunday. Sweat has 3.5 sacks, five TFLS, and a forced fumble this year.

Sweat dealt with an ankle injury in October before suffering a shin injury a few weeks later. Although the shin injury is now behind him, the team now lists him with an ankle issue. It is unclear as to whether this is a new injury or a continuation of the old one though.

Kyler Gordon, who missed Week 9 with a hamstring issue, was also limited. Sweat bookended last week’s three practices with DNPs and was eventually made inactive on Sunday. A return to practice is a step in the right direction but doesn’t guarantee his availability for Week 10. The Bears were down multiple key defenders versus the Cardinals on Sunday and got rocked, giving up 29 points. It’s the first time Chicago has allowed more than 21 points in a game this season. Drake Maye’s fantasy outlook would receive a notable boost if Sweat or Gordon can’t play this week.

Sweat’s absence is significant for a Bears defense tasked with containing the highly mobile Kyler Murray. The secondary is also worryingly thin. S Jaquan Brisker, slot CB Kyler Gordon, DL Byron Cowart, RB Khalil Herbert, OL Kiran Amegadjie and OL Braxton Jones are also inactive for this one. Starting CB Tyrique Stevenson has also been demoted following his unfortunate Week 8 antics. He will not start this week.

Sweat missed Wednesday’s practice with the shin issue. He was upgraded to a limited session on Thursday but then returned to a DNP to close the week. That puts him on the wrong side of questionable heading into the weekend. Losing Sweat, who has 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble this year, would be a notable blow to Chicago’s top-notch pass-rush.

The Bears held a walkthrough so Sweat’s status is only an estimation. We will learn more on Thursday’s injury report. Defensive backs Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon, both of whom missed Week 8, were also held out of practice. A usually ironclad Bears defense could be down multiple starters for their Week 9 matchup with Arizona, giving Kyler Murray an easier matchup as he attempts to extend the Cardinals’ win streak to three.

Sweat popped up on the injury report with the ankle issue on Wednesday but was a full participant in practice by Friday. Fellow defensive lineman Zacch Pickens and defensive back Terell Smith are out this week.

Sweat (11 pressures) is the only Bears defender with double-digit QB pressures this season. Thursday should clarify his Week 5 availability. The Bears will need him against a surprisingly scrappy Panthers offense, now helmed by Andy Dalton.