### Bears' T.J. Edwards Carted Off with Ankle Injury During Playoff Game Against Packers - In a critical playoff matchup on January 10, 2026, Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards suffered a significant left ankle injury during the first half against the Green Bay Packers. The injury occurred in the second quarter, leading to Edwards being carted off the field, raising concerns about his availability for the remainder of the game and the season. The Bears were trailing 14-3 at the time of the injury, which halted the game momentarily as medical staff attended to Edwards. His status was later confirmed as doubtful for a return to the game, and subsequent reports indicated that he would miss the rest of the season due to a fractured fibula [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/bears-lb-t-j-edwards-020617151.html, https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/t-j-edwards-miss-rest-052606553.html]. ### Breakdown of the Incident and Its Implications 1. **Injury Details**: - T.J. Edwards sustained a left ankle injury during a non-contact play in the second quarter of the playoff game against the Packers. He was immediately attended to by medical staff and subsequently carted off the field [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/t-j-edwards-injury-latest-015422190.html, https://tsn.ca/nfl/article/bears-linebacker-edwards-carted-off-vs-packers-with-leg-injury-n1-47576276]. 2. **Game Context**: - At the time of the injury, the Bears were down 14-3, and the game was crucial for their playoff aspirations. The injury not only affected the team's defensive strategy but also the morale of the players and fans [https://www.themirror.com/sport/american-football/bears-packers-tj-edwards-injury-1611023]. 3. **Season Impact**: - Following the injury, it was confirmed that Edwards would miss the remainder of the season due to a fractured fibula, which is a significant blow to the Bears' defense as he was a key player [https://lethbridgeherald.com/sports/national-sports/2026/01/11/bears-linebacker-t-j-edwards-to-miss-the-rest-of-the-season-with-leg-injury]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Injury Reports**: - Multiple sources confirmed the nature of Edwards' injury, highlighting its severity and the immediate impact on the game. The Bears' head coach, Ben Johnson, provided updates indicating that the team was preparing for the worst-case scenario regarding Edwards' health [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ben-johnson-provides-injury-bears-052305699.html]. - **Game Statistics**: - The Bears were trailing 14-3 at the time of the injury, which reflects the challenging situation they faced without one of their key defensive players [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/bears-linebacker-t-j-edwards-022345684.html]. ### Conclusion: A Critical Loss for the Bears 1. **Immediate Consequences**: - T.J. Edwards' injury is a significant setback for the Chicago Bears, impacting their defensive capabilities in a crucial playoff game. 2. **Long-term Implications**: - With Edwards expected to miss the rest of the season due to a fractured fibula, the Bears will need to adjust their defensive strategy moving forward, potentially affecting their playoff run [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/t-j-edwards-miss-rest-052606553.html]. 3. **Team Morale and Future Outlook**: - The loss of a key player like Edwards could have lasting effects on team morale and performance, as they navigate the challenges of the playoffs without one of their star linebackers [https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-bears-linebacker-tj-edwards-suffers-leg-injury/18384775].