The Chicago Bears placed defensive tackle Kentavius Street on injured reserve Wednesday after he suffered a knee injury during Monday night’s 34-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
The move comes just days after the team acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans in a trade that sent two first-round picks (and a fourth) to Nashville.
Street, who had started seven of the Bears’ first eight games, was helped off the field in the fourth quarter and will miss at least the next four contests.
Through those eight appearances he recorded nine tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack.
The 30-year-old had earned a regular starting role this season after Chicago traded Gervon Dexter Sr. to the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason and signed Street to a one-year deal worth $1.48 million.
Simmons’ arrival immediately shifted the rotation. In his first game with Chicago he posted six tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass breakup, helping limit the Seahawks’ offense while the Bears improved to 6-2.
The performance validated the aggressive deadline addition and reduced Street’s snaps; he played only 13 defensive snaps against Seattle before the injury.
With Street sidelined, Simmons will continue starting alongside veteran Grady Jarrett.
Depth behind that pair is thin. Neville Gallimore is expected to serve as the primary backup, while sixth-round rookie Jordan van den Berg—who was inactive against Seattle—and second-year player Shemar Turner remain options.
Turner, a 2025 second-round pick, has appeared in only three games this season after an ACL tear limited him as a rookie.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen had spoken highly of Street during training camp, calling him the most productive interior lineman on the roster and praising his suddenness and explosiveness off the ball.
That endorsement helped elevate Street into the starting lineup after Dexter’s departure. Street is scheduled to become a free agent next March.
The injury represents a setback for a player who had carved out meaningful playing time after years of rotational roles with the 49ers, Saints, Eagles, and Falcons.
For the Bears, the short-term loss is cushioned by Simmons’ immediate impact, though the interior defensive line will operate with reduced depth until Street is eligible to return.
Chicago also promoted tight end Stephen Carlson from the practice squad to the active roster and added defensive lineman Earnest Brown IV to the practice squad in corresponding moves.
