Breaking down the Bears’ Wednesday training camp practice:
What happened
The Bears had their shortest and lightest practice to date, finishing in less than an hour and a half and mostly trotting through it. There was some red-zone work toward the end, but even then, it was more for receivers to work on routes, and quarterback Caleb Williams dropped back but didn’t throw.
Help coming
Two days after losing safety Coby Bryant for the rest of camp, the Bears got a key piece back with the return of linebacker T.J. Edwards from the Non-Football Injury list. He strained his calf training in the offseason, but was back on the field Wednesday.
Edwards broke his leg in the playoff win over the Packers in January, but has recovered from that. He missed the start of training camp because of a strained calf he suffered while training over the summer. General manager Ryan Poles said last week the injury wasn’t “anything major.”
Edwards likely will need a gradual return as the Bears monitor his conditioning. He missed the first six practices.
The Bears are counting on him and newcomer Devin Bush as they try to redirect a run defense that was sixth-worst in the NFL last season.
Edwards, 29, has been a great find for them and had 351 tackles, seven sacks, five interceptions and two forced fumbles in 44 starts over his first four seasons. He led the team in tackles in 2023, was second in ’24 and dipped to fifth last season while missing seven games because of injury.
Position battle leaders
The Bears seem to be settling in on Braxton Jones as their starting left tackle, as expected. On the other side of the line, though, Austin Booker is making a strong push to start at defensive end over Dayo Odeyingbo.
Injury watch
Among key players, cornerback Terell Smith remained out. The Bears gave veteran rest days to left guard Joe Thuney and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
What’s next?
The Bears get back to business with a full-pads practice Thursday at 8:30 a.m. with fans in attendance.