Chicago Bears lose lineman to devastating injury after Jeffery Simmons trade

The Chicago Bears are still over the moon about landing All-Pro Jeffery Simmons in a trade with the Tennessee Titans. However, their defensive tackle depth overall has now taken a hit.

Kentavius Street was forced to leave Week 8’s victory over the Seattle Seahawks with a knee injury. The defensive tackle has now been placed on injured reserve and will likely miss the remainder of the season, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

“Bears coach Ben Johnson says it is unlikely DT Kentavius Street will return this season,” Biggs wrote.

The Bears signed Street to a one-year deal heading into the 2026 campaign. He impressed during training camp, so much so, Chicago felt comfortable trading away Gervon Dexter Sr. Ultimately, Street put up nine tackles, a quarterback hit and sack in his first eight games in Chicago.

Simmons will help fix a lot of mistakes on defense. But the Bears are now counting on their depth to step up.

Chicago Bears turn to next man up

The longer Simmons plays for Chicago, the more acclimated he will be to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s system. In turn, he’ll be able to soak up more snaps. Still, there will be times Simmons isn’t on the field. The Bears must find a way for their pressure to not fall off a cliff in those moments.

Veteran Neville Gallimore could see more playing time while James Lynch may operate from the middle more often. Furthermore, Jayden Loving may be active for the first time in Week 9. Rookie Jordan van den Berg, who was inactive in Week, will look to re-join the mix.

How the rotation is ultimately configured will be figured out through practice. Still, everyone in Chicago must stay ready for when their name is called.

Simmons will continue to draw the headlines. But Chicago’s collective effort will determine just how far the Bears go.

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