Bears sign WR St. Brown to 1-year extension, per reports

The Bears have already started looking toward next year.

The team signed wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown to a one-year extension, according to multiple reports. The news was first reported by The Athletic. The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport added that the extension is worth $1.25 million.

St. Brown, 26, originally signed a one-year free agent contract with the Bears last March. He had previously been a sixth-round draft choice of the Green Bay Packers and played four seasons in Green Bay.

This season, St. Brown has played in 15 games for the Bears and caught 20 passes for 320 yards and one touchdown. He has also been a reliable blocker as a receiver. His 320 receiving yards are third on the team behind receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Cole Kmet.

The Bears value St. Brown for more than just his on-field abilities. Head coach Matt Eberflus praised St. Brown's leadership abilities just last week.

"He provides leadership," Eberflus said. "He does a really good job with the other players. He can play multiple positions, he's a big target."

Right guard Jenkins heads to IR:

The Bears placed starting right guard Teven Jenkins on injured reserve Wednesday. Jenkins suffered a scary neck injury in a game Dec. 18 at Soldier Field and visited the hospital that day.

The injury proved to be less severe than initially feared and Jenkins returned to action just two weeks later. He did, however, reinjure his neck on Sunday against the Detroit Lions. He left Sunday's game in the first half and did not return.

His replacement at right guard, Michael Schofield, then suffered a knee injury in the same game. Schofield went on IR as well Wednesday, along with cornerback Josh Blackwell. It's unclear what Blackwell's injury was.

The Bears signed linebackers DeMarquis Gates and Terrell Lewis and defensive end Jalyn Holmes to the active roster from the practice squad Wednesday.

Injury report: Safety Jaquan Brisker (personal), quarterback Justin Fields (hip), cornerback Jaylon Jones (concussion) and linebacker Sterling Weatherford (illness) did not practice Wednesday.

Fields has already been ruled out of this week's game against Minnesota. Nathan Peterman will start instead.

Long snapper Patrick Scales (neck) and tight end Trevon Wesco (ankle) were limited participants in practice. Guard Ja'Tyre Carter (back) and receiver Dante Pettis (head) were full participants.