Bears Make Final Call on DE Austin Booker for ‘MNF’ vs. Commanders
The Chicago Bears won’t have promising defensive end Austin Booker back in the lineup against the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football.
The Bears officially downgraded Booker from questionable to out ahead of Monday’s kickoff against the Commanders, delaying the 2024 fifth-round pick’s return to the lineup for another week and ensuring he will miss his fifth consecutive game.
Booker seemed likely to receive activation back to the 53-man roster before kickoff after making it through the entire week of practice as a full participant. The Bears had listed him as questionable on Saturday when they released their final injury report, but they ultimately decided to give him another week to recover after more than a month away.
The Bears also downgraded veteran running back Travis Homer — whom they had also designated for return from IR this week — from questionable to out before kickoff. He had also logged a full week of practice for the Bears without limitations coming off his calf injury. But like Booker, the Bears will give him another week to get his body right.
Additionally, the Bears elevated kicker Jake Moody and defensive tackle Jonathan Ford from the practice squad to their game-day roster for Monday Night Football in Week 6.
The Bears (2-2) will kick off against the Commanders (3-2) at 8:15 p.m. ET tonight.
Austin Booker Could Provide ‘Impact’ When He Returns
The Bears have struggled to rush the passer effectively through their first four games of the 2025 season despite making expensive upgrades to their line during the offseason.
According to ESPN Analytics, the Bears had the worst pass-rush win rate (26%) in the league coming into Week 6’s games. They are also tied with the Carolina Panthers for the fewest sacks (five) heading into Monday night’s game; although, the Panthers are stuck at five sacks after playing six games, whereas the Bears have only played four.
Even still, it hasn’t been pretty for the Bears, who count three of their defensive linemen among their 12 highest-paid players in 2025, including defensive end Montez Sweat — who carries a team-high $25.08 million cap hit this season, according to Over the Cap.
The hope is that Booker’s return — when it happens in the coming weeks — can help spark more efficiency from the pass rushers. Booker had tallied four sacks in less than two full preseason games in August before he injured his knee in the Bears‘ second exhibition game, earning him a short stint on IR.
“He demonstrated that in training camp,” Allen said this week of Booker’s pass-rushing ability. “He demonstrated it in preseason games, he demonstrated it in joint practices. Now, we’ve just got to get him to a healthy enough spot where he can get out there and play games, and then we’ll be able to see what he can do. I’ve seen signs that say he can impact the game, in particular from a pass rush standpoint.”
Bears Won’t Have Veteran DT Grady Jarrett for ‘MNF’
In addition to holding off on Booker’s return, the Bears also won’t have one of their top veteran starters for their defensive interior available for Monday’s prime-time game.
Bears veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett will not play against the Commanders, as the team ruled him out on their final injury report with a knee injury that has caused him problems for several weeks now. Jarrett — who signed a three-year, $42.75 million contract with the Bears in free agency — will now miss his second consecutive game.
The Bears will expectedly lean more on second-round rookie Shemar Turner without Jarrett available. To keep their line fresh and potentially create matchup problems, the Bears might consider kicking edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo inside, as they indicated he could do when they signed him, but they would need someone to cover him on the edge.
Yankees predicted to trade for $12 million All-Star, Silver Slugger to replace Paul Goldschmidt
After being eliminated from the playoffs, the New York Yankees have a checklist they need to go through before they’re ready for the offseason. One of those things on the checklist is replacing Paul Goldschmidt at first base, as he is set to be a free agent.
Fansided’s Christopher Kline believes the Yankees can replace Goldschmidt by trading for Tampa Bay Rays All-Star Yandy Diaz. The trade would look like this:
New York Yankees receive: 1B Yandy Diaz
Tampa Bay Rays receive: C Austin Wells, OF Dillon Lewis
“Odds are the Tampa Bay Rays don't want to send Díaz to a division rival, but value is value and Díaz is 34, entering the final year of his contract. It's a pure rental for the Yankees, albeit an impactful one. This past season was one of Díaz's best yet. He hit .300 with an .848 OPS and a career-high 25 home runs. For a team in need of consistency beyond Judge, Díaz brings valuable experience and a highly disciplined plate approach,” Kline wrote.
Diaz finished the season slashing .300/.366/.482/.848 with 29 doubles, 25 homers, and 83 RBI in 150 games played. Like Kline said, having another consistent bat other than Judge could work wonders for the Yankees' offense.
Additionally, by trading Wells, the Yankees could fully commit to having Ben Rice play catcher, as they had been platooning him at first base and serving as the backup catcher. His bat is too good to be platooning and a backup, so this works for the Yankees.
Hopefully, the Yankees realize this might be a good idea and start working on talks for Diaz when the offseason truly begins.
