The Chicago Bears are looking like they could be much closer to full strength on defense for their division showdown against the Green Bay Packers in Week 14.
According to the team’s injury report, Bears veteran linebacker T.J. Edwards returned to the practice field in a limited capacity during December 3’s first practice of the week, marking the first time that he has practiced since breaking his hand on November 2.
Edwards has missed four straight games for the Bears after emerging from Week 9’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals with a broken right hand — which required surgery — and a re-aggravated hamstring issue that held him out of three of the first four games.
While the Bears are still listing him with both injuries on the injury report, Edwards’ return to practice suggests his hamstring injury is improving. The Bears have already said that the plan is for Edwards to play with a cast on his right hand while the break heals, so getting clear of the hamstring injury seems the larger hurdle at this point.
The Bears also saw strong-side linebacker Noah Sewell return to full participation at December 3’s latest practice. He had not played or practiced since suffering an elbow injury that did not cause him to exit during Week 11’s win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Edwards and Sewell are two of the Bears’ top three linebackers, meaning that returning even one of them to the lineup would offer a boost to their defense against the Packers. They are still without veteran starter Tremaine Edmunds, who is on injured reserve.
The Bears (9-3) kick off against the Packers (8-3-1) at 4:25 p.m. ET on December 7.
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