The Chicago Bears are running out of time to make a decision on Austin Booker, as the 21-day window the team has to activate the defensive end to the active roster is quickly running out.
As of this writing, Booker remains on the IR ahead of Sunday's matchup against the shorthanded Baltimore Ravens. Barring some change between now and kickoff on Sunday, Booker will miss yet another game. Should he not be activated for Week 8, Chicago's coaching staff will have until Tuesday to make the decision to do so. Otherwise, Booker will be reverted back to the season-ending IR, ending his 2025 campaign.
Bears Holding Austin Booker Back Raises Questions About His Health
Booker practiced in full for a second consecutive week, yet will not be in uniform for Sunday's game. Whether the coaching staff wants to admit it or not, there is clearly something wrong with the second-year pass rusher's knee.
The 2024 fifth-round pick appeared in all 17 games for the Bears during his rookie campaign, compiling 21 total tackles and 1.5 QB sacks. However, Booker played like a man possessed during the 2025 preseason slate as, before his injury, the former Kansas Jayhawks standout had recorded a league-best 4.0 QB sacks, eight total tackles, and one forced fumble in just two appearances.
Given all the injuries that Chicago has had to work through this season, having a player who stands to be as productive as Booker was during the exhibition campaign in uniform and on the field would be a big boost to the defense. Despite being on the practice field for multiple weeks now, Booker is not at the point where the staff feels confident in throwing him out there.
That alone should be enough to raise some red flags among the fan base, and, judging from the chatter on social media, it has done just that as questions are being asked about what exactly is going on with the preseason standout.
With Booker remaining sidelined for at least Week 8 against the Ravens, it will likely be the Dayo Odeyingbo show on the right edge once again. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the most productive option at the position for Chicago in Booker's absence. Entering Week 8, Obeyingbo owns an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 55.4, which ranks him 91st out of 113 eligible DEs. His nine total pressures rank fairly low among his peers, as well, at 81st out of 113 eligible edge rushers.
At this point, the coaching staff knows what Obeyingbo can provide them up front, and, to be frank, it isn't anything worth writing home about. Continuing to keep Booker sidelined, while offering no real reasons why, will only raise more red flags the closer we get to Tuesday's deadline.