The Chicago Bears are preparing for their first divisional round game since 2010 when they host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. To advance to the conference championship, the Bears must navigate the loss of linebacker T.J. Edwards.
Edwards was lost for the season when he suffered a fractured fibula in the win over the Green Bay Packers in the wild card round and it left a big hole in the team’s linebacker room. The Bears did their best to patch the hole on Tuesday when they signed Jalen Reeves-Maybin to the active roster and the move solidifies their backup plan as they approach their biggest game in 16 years.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin Signing Solidifies Bears LB Room Ahead of Rams Matchup
The 30-year-old was a member of the Bears practice squad earlier this season, appearing in three games and making two total tackles. A depth linebacker with experience on special teams, Reeves-Maybin won’t be the direct replacement for Edwards but should help with the shuffle the injury has caused.
D’Marco Jackson, who has had his share of impressive performances in spot duty including a 15-tackle performance in a Nov. 23 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and a seven-tackle performance with an interception that helped him win the NFC Defensive Player of the Week Award against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 14, slides next to Tremaine Edmunds in a starting role, but the rest of the group has massive questions.
Rookie Ruben Hyppolite II has been a massive disappointment after being selected in the fourth round of the 2025 draft. Amen Ogbongbemiga is also out of action after missing the win over the Packers as he recovers from a concussion. While the Bears could give Hyppolite an expanded role, they’ve shown no interest in doing so, creating the need to bring Reeves-Maybin back to the active roster.
It also creates a weakness that the Rams may be able to exploit. While Jackson's 77.9 coverage grade looks solid on paper, he’s allowed 11-of-16 passes to be completed for 66 yards when targeted, according to Pro Football Focus.
With Edmunds also struggling after returning from a groin injury last month, Reeves-Maybin may be called upon more than it appears in Saturday’s game. But it’s a small piece in what the Bears hope becomes another marquee win in a season that’s been filled with them.