The most anticipated player activation in the history of the Chicago Bears has finally happened.
Earlier today, the home office of Windy City Gridiron received a fax from second-year defensive end Austin Booker that made his intentions crystal clear.
Chills.
Okay, it may not have happened like that, but the ongoing discourse in our comment section, on sports radio, on podcasts, and on social media about Booker’s return from injured reserve following his preseason knee injury has been hyperbolic.
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Bears opened Booker’s 21-day practice window on October 7, and since that time, he’s been a full participant at practice. Fans have been vocal in wondering what the holdup has been, but for whatever reason, the Bears decided to take the window all the way to the wire.
Head coach Ben Johnson announced on Monday that they intended to activate Booker, and earlier today, the team made it official.
Besides activating Booker today, the Bears also officially placed rookie defensive lineman Shemar Turner on IR.
The pass rush has been a Chicago weakness all year, and Booker showed promise as a pass rusher this preseason. In week one against the Dolphins, Booker had six tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, four QB hits, and a forced fumble. Week two against the Bills, he picked up another sack, two tackles, a TFL, and a pass defended.
I’m excited to see Booker play in a real game and to see if his offseason work on his pass-rush toolbox can translate into more production. But we’re also talking about a 22-year-old, fifth-round draft pick, who had a sack and a half as a rookie, so I’m not expecting the second coming of Maxx Crosby.
At least not in 2025.
