Bears defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, one of their top defensive players, remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The team activated offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson, linebacker Christian Jones and long snapper Patrick Scales.
All four players were put on the list last Tuesday, with Goldman on first and the others added later. The Bears haven’t said whether Goldman tested positive for the virus.
Goldman, who opted out of last season because of the pandemic, didn’t disclose his vaccination status when he returned this season, but he gave his news conference at Halas Hall without a mask. Unvaccinated players are subject to a fine of $14,650 if they break protocol by going mask-free inside a team facility.
The last time the Bears had him on the field, he had 29 tackles and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate in 2019. He is in the second season of a four-year, $42 million contract.
Wilkinson’s return is what the Bears needed after they struggled to keep 10 healthy offensive linemen on the field the last few practices. The team has been using tight end Cole Kmet in Scales’ place. As for Jones’ spot, the Bears brought in veteran Alec Ogletree last week, and he had six interceptions in his first four practices.
