And on defense, Stevenson’s absence had left a void too large to ignore.
The young corner — known for his physical style and swagger — had been nursing a shoulder injury sustained against the Lions. His replacement, rookie Kalen King, showed flashes but struggled under the pressure of being targeted relentlessly by opposing quarterbacks.

Without their playmakers, the Bears’ rhythm dissolved.

Williams’ timing faltered, the run-pass balance collapsed, and defensive lapses began to pile up. Chicago dropped three of its last four, each loss more frustrating than the last.

“Everything felt off,” said offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. “You could see it on tape — the spacing, the trust, the rhythm. When you lose that many key guys at once, it’s like playing with one arm tied behind your back.”

The Return: Movement, Sound, and Hope

Thursday’s practice changed the entire mood of the complex.
As the first horn sounded, Stevenson jogged out in full pads, chest taped, helmet gleaming. Across the field, Moore caught the first warm-up throw from Williams, spinning and laughing as if months hadn’t passed. Odunze, wearing a compression sleeve on his right leg, took reps at full speed — his cuts crisp, his energy contagious.

Zaccheaus, soft-spoken but fiercely competitive, ran crisp routes and ended each rep with a sharp “let’s go!” that drew smiles from receivers coach Tyke Tolbert.

“You could feel it — like somebody plugged power back into the building,” said running back Khalil Herbert. “We’ve been grinding, but when your brothers come back, the energy’s just different. It feels real again.”

For the first time in weeks, the Bears’ offense looked dynamic during team drills. Williams threw confidently into tight windows, Moore worked the middle, and Odunze stretched the field vertically — forcing the defense to spread wider than it had in recent games.

By the end of practice, Eberflus called it “our sharpest session since camp.”

Stevenson’s Grit: ‘I Don’t Sit Out If I Can Stand’

Among the day’s returnees, Tyrique Stevenson’s comeback might mean the most.
The 2023 second-round pick has quietly become the backbone of Chicago’s secondary. His physical coverage style, willingness to tackle, and vocal leadership earned him the respect of veterans like Jaylon Johnson.

His absence over the last three weeks left the defense reeling. Without his press coverage on the boundary, the Bears shifted to more conservative zone looks — and it cost them. Opposing quarterbacks exploited soft cushions, moving the chains methodically while Chicago struggled to generate turnovers.

“I watched from the sideline and it killed me,” Stevenson admitted. “You see plays you know you could’ve made — and that burns. But I had to be smart. The shoulder wasn’t right.”

Asked if he’d rushed his return, he smirked. “I don’t sit out if I can stand. That’s just me.”

Cornerbacks coach Jon Hoke said Stevenson’s return instantly restored structure: “He brings alignment — not just physically, but mentally. Guys trust his callouts. You can hear the defense talking again.”

Odunze’s Patience: A Rookie’s Test

For Rome Odunze, the rookie out of Washington, the layoff tested not just his hamstring but his patience.
After a blistering preseason and a promising start to the year, his momentum was cut short in Week 5. Watching from the sidelines as the offense sputtered was agony for a player known for his relentless preparation.

“I learned a lot sitting out,” Odunze said. “You start to see the game from a different lens. You notice details — coverage disguises, tempo, how defenses react to different formations. It slowed the game down for me, in a good way.”

His first practice back showed no hesitation. During 7-on-7 drills, he snagged a deep post between two defenders and sprinted through the end zone, drawing cheers from teammates.

“Rome looked fresh,” said quarterback Caleb Williams. “It’s like he never left. When he’s on the field, it opens everything up — not just for me, but for everyone else.”

Williams’ connection with Odunze was one of the preseason’s biggest storylines — two young stars developing in sync. That connection, now restored, could determine the Bears’ offensive ceiling over the season’s final stretch.

D.J. Moore: The Heartbeat Returns

Few players embody the Bears’ emotional core like D.J. Moore.
Since arriving in Chicago, he’s been the steady force amid chaos — a player who speaks little but leads loudly through performance. His absence with an ankle injury gutted the passing attack. Without his reliability on third downs, Williams was often forced to extend plays beyond design, leading to sacks and turnovers.

Back at practice, Moore looked refreshed — and determined.
“He’s a warrior,” said Waldron. “Even when he’s banged up, he’s asking to go. But this week, for the first time, he’s looked explosive again.”

In red-zone drills, Moore caught three touchdowns in quick succession, cutting sharply on the same ankle that sidelined him. As he jogged off, he turned to reporters and grinned.

“Tell ’em we’re back.”

It was vintage D.J. — understated, confident, and exactly the tone Chicago needed.

Zaccheaus: The Forgotten Spark

While stars like Moore and Odunze dominate headlines, Olamide Zaccheaus’ return may quietly shape the Bears’ offensive balance.
Before his injury, Zaccheaus had carved out a niche as a motion receiver and gadget player — the kind of versatile weapon Waldron’s playbook thrives on. His ability to block, stretch defenses horizontally, and line up anywhere from slot to backfield makes him a glue piece in Chicago’s system.

“People forget how valuable Z is,” Waldron said. “He creates confusion. Defenses have to account for him pre-snap, and that opens things for the big guys.”

Zaccheaus brushed off the praise. “I’m just trying to help us win. Period.”

Still, his teammates noticed. Williams called him “the guy who makes the details right.”

That attention to detail — motion timing, route spacing, effort without the ball — has been missing since he left the lineup. Now, with his return, Chicago can fully unleash the layered misdirection that defined its early-season identity.

Inside the Locker Room: Energy Restored

The difference in the locker room was palpable.
Laughter replaced silence. Music blasted from a speaker cornered by running backs. Trainers exchanged fist bumps with players who had spent weeks in rehab rooms.

“It’s like the lights came back on,” said left tackle Braxton Jones. “Guys feed off each other. When you see DJ and Rome catching, and Tyrique chirping on defense again — it’s contagious.”

Eberflus’ post-practice message echoed the same sentiment: “We’ve been through the valley. Now it’s time to climb again.”