Chicago Bears OTA Injury Report: Which Injuries Should Fans Be Concerned About?

The Chicago Bears are still months away from the start of the 2026 season, but injuries are already becoming a storyline during organized team activities.

While most OTA absences aren’t serious, several key defenders were limited or unavailable during the first week of practices. For a Bears defense looking to rebound after a disappointing 2025 campaign, health could be one of the biggest factors determining whether the unit takes a step forward.

Here’s a look at the most notable injuries from Bears OTAs and how concerned fans should be about each one.

Chicago Bears Kyler Gordon: Moderate Concern

If there’s one injury that stands out above the rest, it’s the situation surrounding Kyler Gordon.

The veteran defensive back was present during OTAs but was limited before heading inside during team drills. Reports indicate Gordon is dealing with a soft-tissue injury, which is notable because similar issues have followed him throughout his career.

The Bears badly missed Gordon last season, as injuries limited him to just three regular-season appearances.

The good news is that the injury does not appear serious enough to keep him completely off the practice field. The bad news is that any injury involving Gordon raises eyebrows because of his history.

Concern Level: 6.5/10

It’s too early to panic, but Bears fans would love to see Gordon string together a healthy offseason.

Malik Muhammad: Mild Concern

Rookie defensive back Malik Muhammad was absent from practice, though the exact reason remains unclear. Because details are limited, it’s difficult to gauge the severity of the situation.

However, Muhammad is expected to compete for playing time at cornerback and could become an important depth piece this season. His development matters, especially given some of the struggles shown by the Bears’ secondary during OTA sessions.

Until more information becomes available, this feels like more of a situation to monitor than worry about.

Concern Level: 3/10

The lack of information keeps this from becoming a major concern for now.

Cam Lewis: Moderate Concern

Veteran defensive back Cam Lewis left practice early while accompanied by trainers. Anytime a player exits a session early, questions naturally follow.

Lewis may not be a household name, but he could play a valuable role for Chicago this season. He offers depth at both nickel corner and safety, and could become an important insurance policy behind several younger players. Fortunately, there has been no indication that the injury is significant.

Concern Level: 5/10

Worth monitoring, but not yet something that should cause alarm.

Jonah Jackson: Moderate Concern

The Bears invested heavily in veteran guard Jonah Jackson, which is why his limited participation attracted attention. Jackson was present during practice but was not a full participant.

Unlike some of the younger players on this list, Jackson carries a lengthy injury history. He missed time during multiple seasons between 2022 and 2024, making any offseason absence somewhat noteworthy. That said, teams are often cautious with veteran offensive linemen during OTAs.

Concern Level: 5.5/10

It’s not a major issue today, but Bears fans will want to see him fully healthy by training camp.

T.J. Edwards: Low Concern

Linebacker T. J. Edwards remains sidelined while recovering from a fractured fibula. Fortunately, all signs point toward him being ready when training camp begins. The Bears have quality depth behind Edwards if needed, but he’s one of the leaders of the defense and an important piece of the unit.

Concern Level: 2/10

As long as his recovery remains on schedule, there is little reason for concern.

Dayo Odeyingbo: High Concern

Of all the expected injury absences, Dayo Odeyingbo may have the most uncertain outlook. The pass rusher is working his way back from a torn Achilles, one of the most challenging injuries for NFL players to overcome. The Bears need additional help opposite Montez Sweat, and Odeyingbo was expected to be a significant part of that plan. His status for Week 1 remains unclear.

Concern Level: 7.5/10

Until he’s back on the field, this will remain one of Chicago’s biggest injury questions.

Ozzy Trapilo: Expected Long-Term Recovery

Offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo is recovering from a torn patellar tendon suffered during the playoffs. The Bears have long known his recovery would extend into 2026, making this absence less surprising than some of the others. Chicago appears comfortable with its alternatives at tackle, especially with the expected return of Braxton Jones.

Concern Level: 4/10

The injury is serious, but the Bears have had time to prepare for it.

The Biggest Takeaway From Bears OTAs

At this stage of the offseason, the Bears are not dealing with any obvious season-threatening injury crises. However, Gordon’s latest soft-tissue issue and Odeyingbo’s Achilles recovery are the situations that deserve the most attention moving forward.

For a defense that ranked near the bottom of the NFL in several key categories last season, staying healthy may be just as important as any scheme change or roster addition. If the Bears hope to make a playoff push in 2026, getting key defenders back on the field will be one of the biggest storylines to watch throughout the summer.