Martellus Bennett Injury: Updates on Bears Star's Ribs and Return

The Chicago Bears announced tight end Martellus Bennett was sidelined against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 due to a rib injury. However, he is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Bennett Active vs. 49ers

Sunday, Dec. 6

The Bears announced Bennett is available to play against San Francisco.

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Latest on Bennett's Practice Status

Saturday, Dec. 5

The Bears announced Bennett was a full participant in practice all week. 

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Bennett Provides Added Dimension to Bears Offense

Bennett had played all 16 games in five of seven seasons in the NFL. He's coming off a career year in 2014 in which he caught 90 passes and six touchdowns.

Despite the win against the Packers in Week 12, the Bears need him in the lineup with the offseason departure of wide receiver Brandon Marshall and an injury to first-round pick Kevin White. Cutler could only depend on Alshon Jeffery with any regularity prior to Bennett's return, and the tight end will give Cutler another reliable target. 

Star running back Matt Forte will help take some of the pressure off of Jeffery and Bennett—depending on how healthy he is—but the matchup problems Bennett poses at the tight end position gives the Bears a valuable weapon in the passing attack.