Chicago

Bears

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported yesterday that the Bears have had trade discussions surrounding Dexter. Given the timing of this hamstring injury, we’ll assume it and the trade rumors are related. Dexter is entering the final year of his rookie deal and has been considerably productive for an interior pass-rusher. He has 11 sacks and 95 combined tackles over the past two seasons. A team that trades for him will likely extend him as well.

The Chicago Tribune’s Sean Hammond made it clear that this was the first of many steps toward a full return for Burden, but it’s still a good sign that he’s back on the field. With more than two weeks until the Bears’ first game of the season, Burden appears to be on track to play in Week 1. Burden has been going outside the top 20 wide receivers in Best Ball drafts following the injury. That buying window is likely to close as long as he doesn’t suffer any setbacks. Burden remains a high-risk, high-reward WR2 bet.

He missed about a week with a knee injury. Thomas has big-time speed and feels likely to connect on a few deep shots this year with Ben Johnson calling the plays, but he’ll likely need injuries in front of him to obtain fantasy relevancy. Especially now that he’s missed a chunk of training camp.

Monangai suffered a hyperextended knee in practice and was expected to miss multiple weeks per reports. This statement is well in line with that conclusion. It sounds like Monangai has a good chance to be ready for the regular season and this shouldn’t grievously wound his fantasy football draft stock.

Monangai suffered a right knee injury when he was tackled from behind by Grady Jarrett on Sunday. Despite earlier reports that Monangai would be fine, he’s now set to miss multiple weeks with a hyperextended knee, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Roschon Johnson would be in line to serve as the primary backup to D’Andre Swift for the first few weeks if the Bears don’t bring in another running back.

Davenport reunites with current Bears DC and former Saints HC Dennis Allen. The 29-year-old vet spent the last two seasons with the Lions but appeared in only 10 games due to injuries. He totaled seven QB pressures and one sack last season and will likely work as a situational pass rusher this season for the Bears.

Davenport, 29, totaled just seven quarterback pressures and one sack for the Lions last year. He is likely best suited to a rotational role at this point. The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs notes that Davenport began his career with the Saints in 2018, playing for the Bears’ current defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen.

According to Schefter, initial tests indicate Monangai’s knee is structurally sound. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI to confirm the results, but it sounds like Monangai avoided suffering a consequential injury. This is great news for the second-year back, who warrants standalone FLEX treatment if his knee checks out. Starting RB D’Andre Swift can easily shoulder a few extra touches if Monangai needs to be eased into action next month.

Trapilo even resumed practicing today. This is quite an accomplishment. Trapilo suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture in the Bears’ Wild Card Round win over the Packers last year. He was expected to be sidelined “deep into next year,’ per general manager Ryan Poles, but Trapilo’s recovery has apparently gone very well. Trapilo proved himself as a capable pass protector and run blocker. He may need a while to ramp up, but the Bears are currently hosting a competition for the left tackle job. Veteran OT Braxton Jones has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury, but coach Ben Johnson recently said he could resume practicing this week. He got in one limited session last week.

According to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, Monangai “got tangled up” with DT Grady Jarrett when the injury occurred. The second-year running back was able to walk off the field and into the locker room under his own power. The fact that the cart was not needed might be a good sign, but unfortunately, we are simply in wait-and-see mode for the time being. Bears RBs Roschon Johnson and Brittain Brown sit on the depth chart behind him. Starting RB D’Andre Swift could absorb a big chunk of Monangai’s workload if he misses time.