The Chicago Bears placed linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, the team’s leading tackler, on injured reserve because of a groin injury on Saturday.
Edmunds and running back Roschon Johnson (thumb), who also went on IR, will miss at least four games, beginning with Sunday’s visit from the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4).
In corresponding moves, the Bears (7-3) signed linebacker Carl Jones Jr. and running back Brittain Brown to the active roster from the practice squad.
Edmunds, 27, was hurt during a 19-17 road win over the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday but kept playing. He did not practice this week.
He has started all 10 games for the Bears and leads the team with 89 tackles and is tied at the top with nine passes defensed. His four interceptions, which ties a career high, are one behind teammate Kevin Byard III, who leads the league. Edmunds also has one sack, three tackles for loss and three quarterback hits.
The Buffalo Bills selected Edmunds 16th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech.
For his career, Edmunds has 877 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 14 interceptions, 43 tackles for loss and 24 QB hits in 116 regular-season games (all starts) for the Bills (2018-22) and Bears. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2019 and 2020.
The Bears selected Johnson in the fourth round of the 2023 draft out of Texas. Johnson, 24, has been a reserve in seven games while battling multiple injuries this season and has two carries for 17 yards. He has 519 career rushing yards on 138 attempts in 36 games (no starts) in parts of three seasons.
Chicago also ruled out cornerback Jaylon Johnson (groin) and safety Kyler Gordon (calf) on Saturday and they remain on injured reserve.
The team elevated tight end Nikola Kalinic and offensive lineman Jordan McFadden for game day from the practice squad.
