Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat has been moved to the Active/Non-Football Illness list, a designation that will keep him out of the first several practices of training camp.
Illness sidelines Sweat early in camp
The move comes as the team opens its preseason workouts, with Sweat expected to rejoin the lineup once he clears the short‑term illness that has temporarily sidelined him.
Sweat’s 2023 campaign was a breakout year, as he posted a career‑high 10 sacks and added 18 quarterback hits, helping the defense generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
His performance earned him a 91st‑overall spot on the NFL Top 100 list, underscoring the impact he had on the Bears’ pass rush.
General manager Ryan Poles expressed confidence that Sweat will return to full health quickly, noting that the organization hopes the defensive end can continue to build on last season’s momentum.
Injuries ripple through the Bears’ roster
The Bears are also managing a host of other health concerns. Safety Elijah Hicks was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list after reporting shin pain, while linebacker T.J. Edwards landed on the Non‑Football Injury list following a calf strain that coaches deem non‑major.
Rookie linebacker Keyshaun Elliott, who began camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list with a back issue, is expected to be ready for action in the near future, though no definitive timeline has been provided.
The team has not set any return dates for Noah Sewell, Ozzy Trapilo or Shemar Turner, all of whom are recovering from surgical procedures and are progressing at their own pace.
While the early camp agenda is being shaped by these setbacks, the Bears remain focused on integrating new pieces and fine‑tuning schemes that could bolster a defense that showed flashes of dominance last year.