The Chicago Bears are still not precisely sure when they will have Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson back in their lineup, but there is new optimism about his return following the latest update from head coach Ben Johnson.
Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback, has been on injured reserve since September 20 after he suffered a groin injury in Week 2’s loss that forced him to undergo surgery.
Since his injury, though, the Bears have left the door open for him to potentially return to the field during the 2025 season, especially if they remain in the NFC playoff hunt.
Ben Johnson also said Wednesday that his top cornerback is “hopeful” that he will be ready to return to practice “soon” as they start preparing for Week 11’s next game.
“We should be able to get them back at some point end of the season here, but kind of too be determined on when those clocks will start clicking here,” Johnson said when asked for updates on the return timelines for both Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon.
“I just saw Jaylon in the weight room. He’s excited about where he is right now and is hopeful that he’s gonna be able to be out on the practice field here soon.”
Trainer’s IG Post Sparks More Jaylon Johnson Intrigue
While Ben Johnson’s indication that Jaylon Johnson could start practicing again soon is the biggest update on the 26-year-old cornerback in months, it was not the only sign in the past few days that one of the Bears defense’s biggest stars is nearing his return.
On November 11, one of Johnson’s rehabilitation specialists shared a video of the Bears cornerback going through a workout to his Instagram account (@footdoctor_moe) and teased his forthcoming return with the caption: “They said Jaylon Johnson was out indefinitely, nahhhhhhh,” accompanied by a lightning emoji and a saluting emoji.
Johnson has several more hurdles he must still clear before he is ready to return for the Bears. The team still hasn’t designated him for return to practice, the first step toward activation that will give him 21 days to ramp up in practice. Then, once he is ready, they must clear a spot for him on the 53-man roster and activate him off injured reserve.
Even still, any progress is good progress for one of the Bears’ best and brightest.
Kyler Gordon Remains on Short-Term IR Trajectory
Ben Johnson also offered more reassurance about another one of the Bears’ injured cornerbacks, Gordon, when speaking with reporters ahead of Wednesday’s practice.
Gordon, the Bears’ top slot cornerback, landed on injured reserve on October 25 due to a soft-tissue injury that the team listed as a “groin/calf” on the injury report before his deactivation from the 53-man roster. At the time of his injury, though, Johnson said he believed Gordon’s injury was of the “short-term variety” and that he would return.
That thinking, Johnson said this week, has not changed.
“We’re still thinking that,” Johnson confirmed Wednesday, “so I can’t tell you exactly when, but hopefully in the near future here.”
Gordon must still spend at least one more week on injured reserve, but he will become eligible for activation ahead of Week 12’s home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the Bears designate him for return next week, they will have 21 days to activate him — which could make Week 14 or Week 15 a more realistic return date for him.
The Bears (6-3) will next face the Minnesota Vikings (5-4) at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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