Austin Booker Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Bears vs Packers game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Oct 28, 2025
Activated from IR
The Bears activated Booker (knee) from injured reserve Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Booker practiced in full all of Week 8 but wasn't cleared to return in time for Chicago's loss to the Ravens. Now, however, the 2024 fifth-round pick appears on track to make his 2025 debut Sunday on the road against Cincinnati. Booker figures to handle a depth role in Chicago's defensive end rotation behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo.
Oct 25, 2025
Won't return Sunday
Booker (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Ravens, Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The second-year pro from Kansas practiced in full throughout the week, but it now appears he's not ready to return from IR just yet. Booker has yet to play this year after recording 21 total tackles, including 1.5 sacks, across 17 games during his rookie season.
Oct 22, 2025
Begins week with full practice
Booker (knee) participated in practice fully Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Booker is still on injured reserve, though he was designated to return Oct. 7. He has until Oct. 28 to be activated or else be forced to miss the remainder of the season. Booker was able to log a trio of full practices last week, so he seems to be closing in on a return.
Oct 18, 2025
Remaining on IR
Booker (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Saints.
ANALYSIS
Booker was a full participant in practice all week, but he has not progressed enough in his recovery from a knee injury to be reinstated from injured reserve. He opened the season on IR, so his next opportunity to make his 2025 regular-season debut is Week 8 against the Ravens on Sunday, Oct. 26.
Oct 13, 2025
Ruled out for MNF
Booker (knee) has been downgraded to out for Monday night's game versus Washington.
ANALYSIS
Booker remains on injured reserve and wasn't activated ahead of the Bears' Week 6 date with the Commanders. He was designated for return Tuesday, which opened his 21-day practice window. Booker's next chance to suit up will be Sunday against the Saints.
Oct 11, 2025
Chance to play vs. Washington
Booker (knee) was a full participant in Saturday's practice and is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Commanders.
ANALYSIS
Booker started the regular season on injured reserve due to a knee injury that he suffered during preseason action in August. He was designated to return Thursday and was a full participant in all three practices this past week, but he will need to be activated from IR before making his 2025 regular-season debut. The 2024 fifth-rounder tallied 21 tackles (14 solo), including 1.5 sacks, across 17 regular-season games during his rookie campaign.
Oct 9, 2025
Practices fully Thursday
Booker (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Booker remains on injured reserve and has yet to play this season, but the Bears opened his 21-day practice window earlier this week, and he appears to have a good shot at suiting up against Washington on Monday night.
Oct 7, 2025
Designated for return
Booker (knee) was designated for return from injured reserve by Chicago on Tuesday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
This opens Booker's 21-day practice window for activation. He's yet to appear in a game this season after playing in all 17 regular-season contests as a rookie in 2024.
Aug 28, 2025
Sent to injured reserve
The Bears placed Booker (knee) on injured reserve Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Booker will be required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. Selected in the fifth round of the 2024 Draft, Booker appeared in all 17 regular-season games as a rookie last season, logging 21 tackles (14 solo), including 1.5 sacks.
Aug 23, 2025
In jeopardy to miss Week 1
Head coach Ben Johnson told reporters Friday that Booker is going to be out for "a few weeks" due to a knee injury, Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
Booker suffered the injury during the Bears' second preseason game against the Bills, which prevented him from playing against the Chiefs on Friday. The 2024 fifth-rounder is projected to serve in a rotational role at defensive end behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo. Dominique Robinson (ankle), Tanoh Kpassagnon and Daniel Hardy would be candidates to step into a backup role on the Bears' defensive line if Booker cannot suit up in Week 1 against the Vikings on Monday, Sept. 8.
Aug 17, 2025
Early exit Sunday
Booker (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's preseason contest against the Bills, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
ANALYSIS
Booker suffered a knee injury in the second half, finishing his night with two total tackles (one solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding a pass defensed. The defensive end has compiled 4.0 sacks so far in the preseason, and he'll look to be back in action in the team's preseason finale against the Chiefs on Friday.
Jan 6, 2025
Part-time role as rookie
Booker tallied one stop in the Bears' 24-22 win over the Packers on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
After being selected in the fifth round of the 2024 draft, Booker played 24 percent of the snaps for Chicago, leading to 21 tackles and 1.5 sacks. If Darrell Taylor leaves as a free agent, Booker may be able to move up the depth chart as he enters the second year of a four-year contract with the Bears.
Download the app