### Bears' T.J. Edwards Faces Setback with Hand Surgery Ahead of Critical Matchup The Chicago Bears are grappling with significant injury challenges as linebacker T.J. Edwards has recently undergone surgery for a broken hand. Head coach Ben Johnson confirmed the surgery, which will sideline Edwards for the upcoming game against the New York Giants. Despite this setback, the Bears have opted not to place him on injured reserve, indicating a hopeful outlook for his return before the minimum four-game absence that an IR designation would entail. Edwards, who has been a key player for the Bears since signing a three-year, $19.5 million contract in 2023, is expected to return with a clubbed cast on his hand. The Bears' defense has already been weakened by injuries to several other players, contributing to their struggles this season, where they rank 26th in total defense and 29th in points allowed per game [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/bears_tj_edwards_undergoes_hand_surgery/s1_14819_43036079]. ### Breakdown of the Current Situation and Implications 1. **Injury Overview**: - T.J. Edwards has undergone surgery for a broken hand, ruling him out for the game against the Giants [https://abc7ny.com/post/bears-lb-tj-edwards-has-hand-surgery-giants/18126736]. - He has also been dealing with a hamstring issue, which has affected his practice participation [https://www.windycitygridiron.com/chicago-bears-injuries/24480908/bears-vs-giants-injury-report-chicagos-t-j-edwards-had-hand-surgery-new-york-has-6-out]. 2. **Team Impact**: - The Bears have already placed four other defenders on injured reserve, exacerbating their defensive struggles [https://www.profootballrumors.com/2025/11/bears-t-j-edwards-undergoes-hand-surgery]. - The team currently ranks poorly in defensive statistics, which could worsen without Edwards [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/more_bad_injury_news_for_bears_defense_ahead_of_critical_week_10_matchup/s1_16634_43031466]. 3. **Future Outlook**: - The Bears are optimistic about Edwards' return, as they have not placed him on IR, which would require a longer absence [https://beargoggleson.com/bears-final-week-10-injury-report-delivers-disastrous-news-on-t-j-edwards]. - Edwards is expected to play with a clubbed cast upon his return, which may affect his performance [https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2025/11/07/bears-tj-edwards-had-hand-surgery-hamstring-cast-linebacker-ben-johnson-nfl]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Injury Report**: - T.J. Edwards is officially out for the game against the Giants due to his hand surgery [https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bears-lb-t-j-edwards-had-hand-surgery-this-week]. - The Bears' defense has been significantly impacted by injuries, with multiple key players sidelined [https://www.shawlocal.com/bears/2025/11/07/chicago-bears-injury-report-tj-edwards-out-against-giants-after-hand-surgery]. - **Defensive Rankings**: - The Bears currently rank 26th in total defense and 29th in points allowed per game, highlighting the urgency of their injury situation [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/bears_tj_edwards_undergoes_hand_surgery/s1_14819_43036079]. ### Conclusion: A Challenging Path Ahead for the Bears In summary, the Chicago Bears are facing a critical juncture as they prepare for their matchup against the New York Giants without T.J. Edwards, who is recovering from hand surgery. The team's defensive woes are compounded by multiple injuries, leaving them vulnerable as they aim to improve their standings. 1. **Immediate Impact**: Edwards' absence will be felt against the Giants, as he is a key player in the Bears' defense. 2. **Injury Management**: The decision not to place him on IR suggests a potential for a quicker return, but his effectiveness may be compromised by the injury. 3. **Long-term Implications**: The Bears must navigate these injuries carefully to avoid further decline in their defensive performance as the season progresses. The situation remains fluid, and the Bears will need to adapt quickly to maintain competitiveness in the league [https://www.profootballrumors.com/2025/11/bears-t-j-edwards-undergoes-hand-surgery].