The Chicago Bears are fresh off the bye week, and there’s some encouraging injury news to kick off game week before a Monday Night Football showdown against the Washington Commanders.

The Bears have opened the practice windows for edge rusher Austin Booker and running back Travis Homer, who have been on injured reserve since the start of the 2025 season. They’ll have a three-week window to return from their respective injuries. Both have the potential to suit up against the Commanders on Monday night.

Booker suffered a knee injury during the Week 2 preseason win against the Buffalo Bills, where he was injured during coverage on special teams. Booker has been the team’s best pass rusher at that point of the preseason, and his loss was a huge blow for a pass rush that hasn’t done much with Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo for the first four games.

Homer suffered a calf injury during the preseason, which landed him on IR before the start of the year. While he’s not expected to contribute much to the running back group, he’s a core special teamer who will help short up that coverage unit.

The Bears will release their first injury report on Thursday, where we’ll get a better idea of Booker and Homer’s statuses, as well as updates on cornerback Kyler Gordon, linebacker T.J. Edwards and right tackle Darnell Wright, who are all battling injuries but remained on the active roster.

Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears open practice window for Austin Booker, Travis Homer off IR

Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect