Byard (shoulder) was a full participant in Friday's practice and does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the 49ers. Byard injured his shoulder during the Bears' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Lions, though he managed to rack up 10 tackles (five solo) and one pass defense while playing every single defensive snap. He was limited in the first two practices this week, but he finished strong with a full showing Friday and will be good to go Sunday. In the six games since the Bears' Week 7 bye, Byard totaled 55 tackles (30 solo), including 1.0 sacks, two pass defenses and one fumble recovery.
Unlock the latest Chicago Bears news — direct to your inbox.
Status
ACTIVELatest Kevin Byard news
Team
Chicago Bears
Birthdate
8/17/1993 (31)
Status
Active
HT/WT
5'11", 212 lbs
Draft Info
2016: Rd 3; Pk (TEN)
Birthplace
Lithonia, GA, USA
Position
DB
College
Middle Tennessee
Experience
9 seasons
Career History
Chicago Bears
2024-Present
(1 season)
Tennessee Titans
2016-2024
(8 seasons)
Philadelphia Eagles
2023-2023
(1 season)
Byard (shoulder) was a full participant in Friday's practice and does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the 49ers. Byard injured his shoulder during the Bears' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Lions, though he managed to rack up 10 tackles (five solo) and one pass defense while playing every single defensive snap. He was limited in the first two practices this week, but he finished strong with a full showing Friday and will be good to go Sunday. In the six games since the Bears' Week 7 bye, Byard totaled 55 tackles (30 solo), including 1.0 sacks, two pass defenses and one fumble recovery.
Byard (shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Byard appears to have picked up a shoulder injury in the Bears' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Lions, despite playing 100 percent of the team's defensive snaps and recording 10 total tackles and one pass defended. The veteran safety's practice participation Thursday and Friday will likely provide the best indication of whether he can play through the issue in a Week 14 matchup against the 49ers.
Byard tallied 10 stops in the Bears' 23-20 loss to the Lions on Thursday. Byard has averaged nine tackles over the last four games after failing to surpass seven tackles in all but one game through Week 9. With a full month of strong tackle totals, the safety has turned into one of the top IDPs at defensive back.
Byard posted 13 tackles (11 solo) in the Bears' 30-27 overtime loss to the Vikings on Sunday. Byard has been putting up his best numbers of the season over the last three weeks. After the safety had just a single game with more than seven tackles through Week 9, Byard is averaging nine stops over the last three games. The veteran should be considered an elite IDP unless and until he shows regression over multiple weeks.
Byard tallied nine stops in the Bears' 20-19 loss to the Packers on Sunday. After recording between five and seven tackles in six consecutive games, Byard has 20 tackles over the last two games. This is the first time all season the safety has stacked big games together. Although it's possible this recent level of production continues, it may still be wise to view Byard as a solid floor IDP with upside.
Byard recorded 11 tackles in the Bears' 19-3 loss to the Patriots on Sunday. Byard had posted between five and seven stops in each of Chicago's previous six games before his big game against the Patriots. Expect the safety to continue functioning as a high-floor IDP with occasional upside games.
Byard tallied eight tackles and a sack in the Bears' 29-9 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday. Byard has recorded between five and eight stops in each of his last six games. The veteran has emerged as a solid-floor IDP option.
Byard recorded seven tackles (four solo) and a pass defensed during Sunday's 35-16 win against the Jaguars. Byard's pass breakup probably saved a touchdown, and he now has at least six tackles in all of his last five games. He's on pace for the third 100-tackle season of his career heading into the Bears' bye in Week 7.
Byard intercepted a pass and tallied six tackles in the Bears' 36-10 win over the Panthers on Sunday. Byard has recorded at least six tackles in each of his last four games, though he's gone over seven stops just once. He remains a high-floor IDP option.