The Bears on Wednesday designated left tackle Braxton Jones and defensive end Khalid Kareem to return off injured reserve, opening a 21-day window to put them back on the active roster.
Jones, who was limited in practice Wednesday, has missed the last four games with a neck injury he sustained in a Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers in Tampa. The Bears will determine whether the 2022 fifth-round pick is able to return to game action based on his functional movement and conditioning in practice.
"When he feels like he's ready and the trainers say that he's good to go, we look at him as coaches, we'll give him the green light," said coach Matt Eberflus. "But I don't know when that's going to be. He's got 21 days to figure that out. Hopefully it's sooner rather than later."
Eberflus said that quarterback Justin Fields remains week-to-week with a dislocated right thumb that continues to improve.
"He continues to work with the trainers," Eberflus said. "He's doing everything he can to progress, and it is progressing."
Eberflus revealed Monday that Fields is doubtful for Sunday night's game against the Chargers in Los Angeles, meaning that undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent is expected to make his second straight start.
Running back Roschon Johnson practiced in full Wednesday but still has one more hurdle to be cleared from concussion protocol.
Safety Eddie Jackson was limited in practice with a foot injury.
Since Jackson suffered the injury Sept. 17 in Tampa, backup Elijah Hicks has filled in admirably while starting three of four games. The 2022 seventh-round pick has registered 22 tackles and one pass breakup this year.
"He's done well," Eberflus said. "He's functioned well in there. He's made some plays. If you go back to the Tampa game, I think he was pretty good there and he's gotten better every single week."
In other injury news Wednesday, right tackle Darnell Wright (shoulder/toe), right guard Nate Davis (ankle), cornerback Terell Smith (illness) and safety Jaquan Brisker (illness) did not practice.
