Designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, veteran linebacker Danny Trevathan rejoined his teammates on the practice field.
Trevathan was placed on IR Sept. 1 with a knee injury, forcing him to sit out at least the first three games of the regular season. With his return to practice Wednesday, the Bears now have three weeks to decide whether to put him back on their 53-man roster.
Trevathan is in his 10th NFL season and sixth with the Bears. Last year he ranked second on the team behind Roquan Smith with 113 tackles—the second highest single-season total of Trevathan's career—while starting all 16 games for the second time in three years.
"I think he has developed an appreciation for the game like I have and has enjoyed his run, especially being here in Chicago," said veteran defensive tackle Akiem Hicks. "And I think he wants to come out and play his best football when that time comes, so I look forward to him excelling."
Injury update: Rookie quarterback Justin Fields (right thumb) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. Quarterback Andy Dalton (knee), receiver Darnell Mooney (groin) and nose tackle Eddie Goldman (knee) were limited.
Outside linebacker Khalil Mack (foot), safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (hamstring) and linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (hamstring) did not work out due to injuries. Tight end Jesse James also did not participate due to an undisclosed personal reason.
Making noise: The Bears are hoping to get Goldman back on the field Sunday when they host the Lions. The 6-3, 325-pounder has missed the first three games with a knee injury he sustained in practice on Labor Day. Goldman opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns and has not played in a regular-season game since December 2019.
"Eddie's not much of a talkative person," Hicks said. "He tends to just go about his business and do his work. I think when his time comes, kind of like Danny, he'll be ready.
"Getting to watch him in training camp, he looked exceptional. He looked like Eddie Goldman, one of the best defensive nose tackles in the game. You just love watching his technique if you're a D-line enthusiast because he just moves so naturally into the spots that he needs to be in and he's very strong when he gets there.
"And although he doesn't talk a lot, when the time comes for him to make some noise in the middle of a game, he will be there for you. So, I appreciate him and respect his play and [him as] a person."
Turning heads: With Goldman sidelined last Sunday against the Browns, rookie nose tackle Khyiris Tonga—a 6-4, 338-pound seventh-round pick from BYU—registered five tackles while playing a season-high 29 snaps.
"I really like Tonga," Hicks said. "I really like the way he plays. I call him 'box built.' He's just a little bit shorter, a little bit stockier, impossible to move. He plays with great athleticism for his stature, being a heavier guy like myself. He's very intuitive. He's willing to listen and learn. I really appreciate how he's approached his rookie season, so I'm really high on him."
Happy to return: After being suspended by the NFL for the first two games, veteran defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. registered two tackles and one sack in his season debut in Cleveland.
"It was definitely great to get out there and get a sack and play with my teammates," Edwards said. "I feel like I picked up where I left off. If anything, [missing the first two games] made me more hungry to want to get back out there and compete with my brothers."
The Bears pass rush totaled 5.0 sacks against the Browns, including 2.0 by Mack and 1.5 by Robert Quinn.
"Yeah, it's a little competitive," Edwards said. "It's no fun if your friends can't get none, so it's kind of like having a party at the quarterback. When everybody's out there getting a piece of it, it's fun."
