NFL
Why isn’t Travis Homer playing for the Bears against the Rams? NFL Week 4 injury status
The final injury report confirmed what we knew as the Chicago Bears (1-2) welcome the Los Angeles Rams (1-2) for Sunday’s Week 4 matchup.
If you’re wondering why Travis Homer isn’t on the field for the Chicago Bears this Sunday in their Week 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, you’re not alone. The running back won’t be playing due to a recent injury that sidelined him for the foreseeable future. He’s nursing a finger injury that required surgery, which landed him on injured reserve ahead of Week 3. Now, as per NFL IR rules, he will miss a minimum of four games.
Could Bears feel Homer’s absence?
Losing Homer might not make huge headlines – well apart from here, maybe – but his absence is felt in ways that don’t always appear on the stat sheet. Primarily used as a backup running back and special teams asset, Homer was a useful piece in head coach Matt Eberflus’s playbook. While not a game-changer, he provided the kind of depth and flexibility that can make a difference over the course of a gruelling NFL season.
Unfortunately for the Bears, they’ll have to wait a little longer to see if Homer’s finger can heal faster than the Rams’ chances of making a dent in the NFC West.
What Homer loss means for Bears’ running game
The Bears will need to lean on their other running backs, but let’s be real, the backfield hasn’t exactly been tearing it up. The team is ranked 31st in rushing offence, which isn’t exactly something to boast about. Without Homer in the mix, the pressure mounts on the Bears’ other backs to turn things around on the ground.
The silver lining? The Rams’ defense ranks among the worst in the league when it comes to stopping the run. Maybe, just maybe, this is the moment for the Bears’ rushing attack to rise from the ashes. Or, at the very least, be better than 31st.
When is Travis Homer expected to return for Bears?
With the Rams game already ruled out, Homer’s return hinges on how well his rehab progresses. Week 8 is the earliest he can return, just in time for the Bears’ post-bye matchup against the Washington Commanders, so they’ll have to be patient.