Booker is on short-term IR, creating immediate depth concerns behind Sweat and Odeyingbo. His absence opens additional reps for Foskey, Robinson, and Hardy, elevating the value of any new addition who can rush from the edge in the early weeks of 2025.

Booker’s Week 1 absence leaves Chicago thinner on edge pressure potential. His emergence as a twitchy rusher remains a theme, but Week 1 will rely more on Sweat and Odeyingbo to disrupt Minnesota’s offense.

Booker impressed in the preseason with four sacks and was pegged as the Bears’ third edge behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo. An injury knee will sideline him for a few weeks, prompting roster or IR considerations as Chicago weighs its 53-man cut strategy ahead of Week 1 vs Minnesota.

Booker’s inactive status hints at reduced Week 3 pass-rush backfill, shifting attention to other Bears linemen to assert themselves in short-yardage and rushing downs. Fantasy angle: a reserve DL could see a handful of plays that translate into tackles and occasional sacks in deeper formats.

Booker has flashed as a disruptive edge defender in Chicago, with a PFF pass-rushing grade of 93.8 and five sacks — an NFL-leading mark in the preseason. His ceiling is tied to health and continued production; a breakout could complicate Bears’ edge rotation and offer late-season fantasy DFS upside.