Montez Sweat's increased productivity over the last three weeks has provided a huge boost to the Bears defense.

After recording one sack in the first five games of the season, the seventh-year edge rusher has registered one sack in each of the Bears' last three contests. One was a strip sack that resulted in a takeaway Oct. 19 in a win over the Saints.

"It's been really exciting to see Montez start to get going here," said general manager Ryan Poles. "He's made a bigger impact recently than he did early, [or] certainly last year. It almost reminds me of when he first got here. That's been really good to see."

After being acquired in a trade with the Commanders midway through the 2023 campaign, Sweat generated 6.0 sacks in nine games with the Bears to increase his season total to a career-high 12.5. Last year he compiled 5.5 sacks in 16 contests.

Sweat's production has increased as he's gained experience playing in first-year coordinator Dennis Allen's defense.

"He's winning a little bit more," Allen said. "And I think he's starting to get a feel for and accustomed to how we're going to play some of the things that we're asking him to do—how we want to play against the run, how we want to be able to rush the passer—and I still think there's a lot of meat left on the bone in terms of what we can get out of that.

"Halfway through the season, we're starting to see some of that production accelerate just a little bit and I'm hopeful that that growth can continue."

Sweat's familiarity with the system isn't the only factor in his emergence.

"I feel like his stamina and ability to play faster, harder, longer continues to get better each week too," Poles said. "There are a lot of factors, but I like where he's at. You can just tell around the building his confidence is really high right now."

Foundation to build on

Allen was pleased with defensive end Austin Booker's season debut last Sunday in Cincinnati. After missing the first seven games with a knee injury, the second-year pro created a key takeaway in the fourth quarter with a strip sack of Joe Flacco.

"I'm hopeful that he's going to build off that performance last week," Allen said. "I do think he gives us a little bit more in terms of the pass rush. He had a really nice rush on the sack fumble. For [his] first game out after being out for a long time, I think that gives us a foundation to build from."

Consummate professional

Tight end Colston Loveland's breakout effort against the Bengals did not surprise offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. The rookie first-round pick caught six passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns—including a 58-yarder from Caleb Williams with :17 remaining that enabled the Bears to turn a 42-41 deficit into a thrilling 47-42 win.

"When he's been out there, he is a consummate professional," Doyle said. "I really enjoy being around him. He has really grasped the offense, and I think he just continues to get better. [Tight ends coach] Jim [Dray] has done a great job with him since he's been here.

"I know [reporters] have asked about him, really every week, 'When is he going to break out?' I think that's one of those things that it's a guy doing a lot of work behind the scenes, and when his number is called, he's ready for the moment, and he certainly was."

While Loveland's sensational 58-yard catch and run will rightfully garner more attention, his 5-yard TD reception from Williams in the third quarter was impressive as well.

"It was great," Doyle said. "It's a really tight window in there, great anticipation. It's really the look we had been practicing all week … Loveland actually ran even a better route in the game than he did in practice, and so it was good to be able to see him take the corrections from practice and bring it into the game on Sunday. [It was] just a great hookup between those two guys and a big moment in the game for us."

Injury update

Defensive end Dominique Robinson (ankle), linebacker T.J. Edwards (hand/hamstring) and defensive back Josh Blackwell (concussion) missed practice Thursday for the second straight day.

Receivers Rome Odunze (ankle/heel) and DJ Moore (hip/groin), running back Roschon Johnson (back) and safety Kevin Byard III (back/ankle) were limited.

Running backs D'Andre Swift (groin) and Kyle Monangai (ankle) and tight end Cole Kmet (concussion) were full participants after being limited Wednesday.