The show covertly set up the return of a former 51 member.

Chicago Fire really tugged at our heartstrings with the episode “Bar Time.” It was one thing to sit with Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) as he struggled with his drinking problem, and resorted to work as a way to distract himself. It was another thing entirely, when he determined the distraction wasn’t working.

The character told Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) that he needed to step away from duty for a while due to his drinking problem. He implied that the only time he has been able to stay sober is when he is on the job, and he needs to find another way. It was devastating, and it will leave a big hole in the 51 roster.

Why did Sam Carver leave Chicago Fire?

Unless, of course, Chicago Fire has already snuck in a replacement. The character may have been brought back for an unrelated subplot, but Jack Damon (Michael Bradway) returned to the show in “Bar Time.” He made a quick cameo by calling 911 and helping a woman who had overdosed on a party drug.

We thought Damon’s inclusion was a bit odd, given how little it factored into the story for the rest of the episode. Now that we know Carver is gone, though, we suspect that the writers set up Damon’s return for a reason. We may have just found our fill in while Carver is tending to his addiction.

Yes, it’s a bit odd given the circumstances in which Damon left. The firefighter was let go from 51 at the beginning of season 13 for disobeying an order. Not only that, but he tried to hide the fact that he disobeyed an order and nearly got his half-brother, Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), in trouble.

Is Jack Damon returning to Chicago Fire?

He eventually did the right thing, and was punished. Damon went on to work at another firehouse. Now, given the character’s proximity to 51, and his familarity with the team, we could see a world in which he returns for a brief period of time. Hell, we already saw him pop up in the promo for the Fire episode “Too Close.”

The promo, which has fans understandably freaking out, sees Damon carry a body through a burning building. Something bad happens, based on his facial expression, but we doubt he will be the death that the promo tees up.

Bringing Damon also makes sense from a thematic perspective. It always felt like the half-brother arc with Severide was left unfinished, and what better time to reconnect with a family member than when Severide is filling out adoption papers and starting a family of his own?

Do you think Damon is going to replace Carver in season 13?