By Max Harper
The signing of C.J. Gardner-Johnson may keep the Bears out of the trade market for a cornerback, but they could take a closer look at defensive ends, considering Week 8 injuries to Shemar Turner (ACL) and Dominique Robinson (high ankle sprain).
Austin Booker returns to the lineup this week as the No. 3 defensive end, but there isn’t a ton of depth on the edge, and the Bears are struggling to put up sack numbers.
Those two injuries to the Bears’ top backups on the edge could make general manager Ryan Poles more willing to part with a late-round pick.
Poles has never been afraid to make a deal. Before the 2024 season, he sent a sixth-round pick to the Browns for defensive tackle Chris Williams, who has turned out to be a nice rotational player. That could be the type of move the Bears look to make at the deadline.
Other positions that could be in play after being hit by injuries recently include left tackle and corner.
