Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) pressures Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) during an NFC Wild Card Round game at Soldier Field
Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears were already thin on the defensive line, and it didn't make things better after the latest update they received. Austin Booker is dealing with an injury, and he could be out for some time, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
“Bears DE Austin Booker is week-to-week with a groin injury. DT Gervon Dexter did not make the trip to Nashville. He has a hamstring issue,” Biggs wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Week-to-week could mean anything at this point for Booker, but the hope is that he's not out for an extended period of time.
The Bears are also dealing with injuries to Dexter, who has a hamstring issue. He's been in trade rumors recently, and it wouldn't be a surprise if they put him on the shelf for some time, especially if a deal comes about. At the same time, it's obvious that the Bears need bodies on the line, and it might be in their best interest to keep him on the team.
With the injuries they're dealing with on the line, it has led to other players stepping up and making an impact. One of those players is rookie Jordan van den Berg, and head coach Ben Johnson had some good things to say about him.
“He's been the same guy every single day. Smile on his face. He loves football. He loves the process,” Johnson said.
I haven't seen it yet, but someone told me he was mic'd up in that first game, and he's coming to the sideline; he's talking to Grady [Jarrett] about the things that are happening on the field. Grady's helping him, giving him tidbits here and there. It's a good thing to see right now. He's firmly in the mix.”