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Bears Activate T.J. Edwards and Return Him to Practice

His return begins a monitored, gradual ramp-up that will shape the race for the team’s starting middle linebacker role.

Overview

  • The Chicago Bears moved T.J. Edwards off the Active/Non‑Football Injury list and returned him to practice on Wednesday, marking his first full-team work since missing the opening days of camp.
  • Edwards had missed the first week-plus of training camp after straining a calf while training away from the team, and the club plans to ease him back in as they watch his conditioning.
  • The veteran linebacker will now compete with D’Marco Jackson for the starting middle linebacker job, a contest the coaching staff says will be decided during the rest of camp.
  • Edwards fractured his fibula in the January wild-card win over Green Bay but finished offseason rehab, signed an extension, and was practicing at minicamp before the recent calf setback.
  • The Bears view Edwards and newcomer Devin Bush as key to improving a run defense that ranked near the bottom of the league last season, so his health and availability carry direct implications for the team’s early defensive plans.