Bears activate safety Elijah Hicks and linebacker Keyshaun Elliott from physically unable to perform list

The Chicago Bears activated safety Elijah Hicks and linebacker Keyshaun Elliott from the physically unable to perform list, clearing both players to practice, the team reported Tuesday. For Bears fans, the move is less about a single practice and more about restoring decision-making options for the coaching staff as camp enters its more critical phase.

Hicks, a safety, has been dealing with a shin injury while he was on the physically unable to perform list. The activation means he can now take part in team practices, which typically affects how often a staff can use its preferred rotation in the defensive secondary and how quickly it can evaluate coverage responsibilities under live conditions.

Elliott, a linebacker, was also on the physically unable to perform list due to a back injury. His clearance to practice gives Chicago another avenue to build linebacker depth and to test defensive communication and pass-rush angles with live reps. Linebacker is often a position where timing matters, especially early in a season when players are still ironing out scheme reads.

The physically unable to perform designation is designed for situations in which a player cannot participate during the opening stage of offseason workouts or training camp due to medical concerns. Activation does not automatically mean full participation in every kind of workload, but it does report that the team believes the player can return to practice safely and consistently, at least within the team’s current practice plan.

For the Bears, the practical impact is straightforward. With both Hicks and Elliott back on the practice field, Chicago can distribute reps more normally across the defense, potentially reducing reliance on temporary depth and increasing the number of live looks for players competing for specific roles. In a league where late preseason reps can influence the early-season depth chart, activation is often a meaningful step even without any immediate game-day guarantee.

The timing also matters. In late August, teams are usually tightening their focus, and roster decisions start to become more concrete. When multiple defenders return around the same time, it can also affect how coordinators plan coverage shells, third-down packages, and situational defense during practice.

There is still a standard caveat: an activation from the physically unable to perform list indicates clearance to practice, but it does not guarantee availability for full-intensity snaps in every setting. The next thing to watch is how Hicks and Elliott handle their workloads and whether they can maintain participation day-to-day as the Bears move through the final stages of camp.

Overall, the Bears’ activations suggest that Chicago is getting two defenders back into the evaluation mix. If both players remain on the practice field without setbacks, the defense could enter the season with better continuity than it had during the period when those reps were unavailable.