The Chicago Bears have seen their two most recent draft classes yield some key contributors, through the first half of the 2025 season.
Quarterback Caleb Williams’ rapid development has been well documented, in his second season since being chosen No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but he’s far from the only young player making major strides.
First-round rookie tight end Colston Lovelend is developing into a legitimate weapon, rookie receiver Luther Burden has flashed and could be in line for an expanded role as early as Week 11 against the Vikings, but, at least one of the Bears’ picks from this past spring’s NFL Draft has yet to make much of an impact.
Over at CBS Sports, NFL analyst Josh Edwards put together a list of each team’s best, and most disappointing rookie, with second-round pick Shemar Turner fitting the latter category for the Bears.
“Wide receiver Luther Burden III and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo were depth selections,” Edwards writes. “They were not needed immediately. A similar fate may have been true of Turner, but given the age of those around him, it was thought that he would work his way into the rotation sooner.”
Unfortunately for the Bears, coordinator Dennis Allen and Co. are going to need to wait to see what Turner is capable of, after the former Texas A&M standout tore his ACL, and will miss the rest of the season.
Even before the injury, Turner had been a nonfactor, producing just six tackles through his first five career games.
The 6-foot-4 and 300-pound Turner has garnered a meager 34.4 overall grade from
There weren’t many surprises when it came to the final inactive report for the NFL regular season opener between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, September 4, in Philadelphia.
For the Eagles, the biggest news in regards to an inactive player was backup quarterback Tanner McKee, who was ruled out with a thumb injury. The biggest question in terms of starters for the Eagles was whether Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson would play, and he’s in the starting lineup after returning from a knee injury suffered in training camp.
Listed on the inactive report for the Eagles along with McKee were edge rusher Azeez Ojulari, defensive end Ogbo Okonronkwo, center Drew Kendall, offensive lineman Cameron Williams, defensive tackle Ty Robinson and offensive lineman Kenyon Green.
Green, a former first round pick, was obtained in a trade with the Houston Texans in the offseason and released when Eagles made the 53-man roster cutdown only to be brought back earlier this week.
Sam Howell will be in McKee’s place as backup quarterback behind Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts. The Eagles obtained Howell in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings on August 24. Howell started 17 games for the Washington Commanders in 2023, going 3-14 and leading the NFL in interceptions and sacks.
Howell spent 2024 as the backup to Geno Smith on the Seattle Seahawks.
The Eagles elevated 2 players from the practice squad to the active roster — safety Marcus Epps and outside linebacker Patrick Johnson.
For the Cowboys, 2 key starters were on the active roster who were question marks headed into tgame week; NFL All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs and offensive tackle Tyler Guyton.
Dallas did have a few surprises on their inactive report with defensive tackle and former first round pick Mazi Smith and rookie running back Jaydon Blue, who was in line to be the starter until suffering a second ankle injury in the Cowboys’ preseason finale on August 22.
Here’s how to watch the Eagles season opener against the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football.
According to ESPN Bet, the Eagles are tied at +650 odds with the Baltimore Ravens as favorites to win Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The Eagles didn’t just sweep their 2 regular season games against the Cowboys in 2024 — they dominated them in those wins.
The Cowboys outscored the 75-13 in the 2 games with a 34-6 win in Week 10 followed by a 41-7 win in Week 17 in which Eagles starting quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts didn’t play in due to a concussion.
The Eagles went 14-3 during the 2024 regular season while the Cowboys went 7-10 following consecutive 12-5 seasons in 2022 and 2023.
As NFC East Division rivals, the Cowboys and Eagles will meet twice this season. The 2 teams play again in Week 12 on Sunday, November 23 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with that scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff on FOX.