Josh Blackwell Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Packers vs Bears game on Saturday with our National Football League injury report.Nov 14, 2025
Good to go at Minnesota
Blackwell (concussion) does not carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Vikings.
ANALYSIS
Blackwell was a full participant at practice throughout the week after sitting out Week 10 versus the Giants with a concussion, and now he's in line to suit up in Week 11. So far in 2025, he's played 121 special teams snaps compared to just three defensive snaps.
Nov 12, 2025
Full participant in practice
Blackwell (concussion) was a full participant in Chicago's practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Blackwell managed to practice despite having suffered a concussion in the Week 10 win over the Giants. However, the 26-year-old will still have to officially clear the league's concussion protocol in order to be eligible to play in Sunday's matchup versus the Vikings.
Nov 7, 2025
Out with concussion
Blackwell (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Giants.
ANALYSIS
Blackwell suffered a concussion during the Bears' Week 9 victory against the Bengals. The 26-year-old cornerback was not cleared to practice at all this week, and will have to sit out Sunday's game. Blackwell's absence will likely mean Luther Burden will take over as the secondary kick and punt returner, with Blackwell's absence coinciding with Burden's return to the field.
Nov 2, 2025
Enters concussion protocol
Blackwell was diagnosed with a concussion and ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Bengals.
ANALYSIS
Blackwell will enter the league's five-step concussion protocol, and he would have to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to be available for the Bears' Week 10 clash against the Giants on Sunday, Nov. 9. He returned one kickoff for 23 yards prior to his exit.
Mar 6, 2025
Extends contract
Blackwell agreed to a two-year extension with the Bears on Thursday.
ANALYSIS
In three seasons with the Bears, the 25-year-old undrafted free agent has recorded 44 total tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception primarily as a special teams player. The extension is reportedly worth up to $6 million, which would make him among one of the highest paid special teamers in the NFL.
Oct 13, 2024
Picks off pass
Blackwell tallied a tackle and an interception in the Bears' 35-16 win over the Jaguars on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Blackwell came into the game after Kyler Gordon left with a hamstring injury. If Gordon misses additional time, Blackwell could take over the slot corner role, making him a possible IDP fill in.
Nov 9, 2023
Active Thursday
Blackwell (hamstring) is active for Thursday night's game against the Panthers.
ANALYSIS
Blackwell was activated from injured reserve earlier in the day. The third-string cornerback has played 39 snaps on special teams and 19 on defense in two games this season.
Nov 9, 2023
Gets activated from IR
Chicago activated Blackwell (hamstring) from its injured reserve list Thursday, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The transaction makes Blackwell available to potentially play Thursday versus the Panthers. If he suits up, he'll probably play the majority of his snaps on special teams.
Nov 6, 2023
Slated for return
Blackwell (hamstring) was designated to return from IR on Monday.
ANALYSIS
Blackwell will now have a 21-day window to practice with the team before he'll need to be added to the active roster. However, the Duke product could return as soon as Thursday against the Panthers, if he's healthy enough to suit up.
Sep 29, 2023
Heads to IR
Blackwell (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
ANALYSIS
Blackwell wasn't able practice all week after suffering a hamstring injury during Chicago's Week 3 loss to Kansas City, making it no surprise that he's been placed on IR. The 24-year-old isn't the biggest loss to the Bears' defense, as he's only recorded four total tackles through two appearances this season.
Sep 29, 2023
Won't play vs. Denver
Blackwell (hamstring) is listed as out for Sunday's game versus the Broncos, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
Blackwell will sit out of a second game in just three weeks as he continues to deal with a nagging hamstring issue. Rookie fifth-rounder Terell Smith could see a small increase in snaps in Blackwell's absence.
Sep 27, 2023
Not ready to partcipate
Blackwell (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Blackwell exited the team's loss to the Chiefs on Sunday with the injury and was unable to return. It appears the Duke product is still working to recover and will now turn his focus to being ready to return to the practice field Thursday.
Sep 24, 2023
Questionable to return Sunday
Blackwell exited Sunday's contest against the Chiefs with a hamstring injury and is questionable to return.
ANALYSIS
With Tyrique Stevenson also questionable to return with a hamstring injury, Terell Smith will see an ever bigger workload for the rest of Sunday's contest should neither corner return.
Sep 21, 2023
Practices fully Thursday
Blackwell (hamstring) is practicing in full ahead of Sunday's Week 3 game against the Chiefs.
ANALYSIS
Blackwell missed Week 2 against the Bucs. With slot CB Kyler Gordon (hand) on injured reserve, Blackwell should slide into that role versus Patrick Mahomes.
Sep 16, 2023
Ruled out Week 2
Blackwell (hamstring) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official website reports.
ANALYSIS
No surprise here, as Blackwell originally received a doubtful designation. His absence could create more snaps at cornerback for the likes of Greg Stroman, Terrell Smith and Jaylon Jones.
Sep 15, 2023
Doubtful Sunday
Blackwell (hamstring) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
ANALYSIS
The second-year corner out of Duke was held out of Thursday and Friday's practices after participating in a limited fashion earlier in the week. If Blackwell were to miss Sunday's contest, Greg Stroman and Jaylon Jones would most likely see more opportunities in Chicago's secondary.
Apr 24, 2023
Signs tender with Chicago
Blackwell signed his one-year tender with the Bears on Monday, Aaron Wilson KPRC 2 Houston reports.
ANALYSIS
Blackwell, who had been an exclusive rights free agent will now officially return to Chicago for the 2023 campaign. The 2022 undrafted free agent played both on defense and special teams in 16 games last season and registered 23 tackles (16 solo). Blackwell will now look to have a similar role heading into the upcoming season.
Jan 8, 2023
Ends season on injured reserve
Blackwell ended the season with 23 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery over 16 games played.
ANALYSIS
Blackwell (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 18. Through Week 12, he was primarily used on special teams, but afterward, he played at least 34 snaps on three occasions, and he recorded four or five tackles in each of those games. He's now a exclusive-rights free agent, but if the Bears retain him, he should compete for a depth role at cornerback during training camp.
Jan 4, 2023
Lands on injured reserve
Blackwell (undisclosed) was placed on IR on Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
It's unclear what injury Blackwell suffered, or when it occurred. The 23-year-old played a season-high 40 snaps in Sunday's loss to the Lions, recording five tackles (three solo). He'll now focus on returning next season at full health.
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