Johnson noted that Booker is dealing with a groin issue and categorized his status as week-to-week regarding availability. “Yeah, he’s banged up,” Johnson said. “He’s working through a groin injury, and it’ll be more week-to-week in terms of his availability.”
Booker was on track to open the 2026 season as the Bears’ starting defensive end opposite veteran Montez Sweat after recording a career-best 4.5 sacks in 10 games last season. However, the groin injury could complicate both his individual timeline and the team’s defensive depth.
The Bears did not add an outside defender to the defensive end room during the 2026 offseason, a decision that drew criticism from fans and national observers. The rotation is expected to include Sweat, Booker, Dayo Odeyingbo, Shermar Turner, and Daniel Hardy, with Hardy also serving as a special-teams contributor and having been extended prior to free agency.
With a little more than two weeks to recover, Booker’s progress will be watched closely as the Bears prepare for a Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers on September 13.
