As Bears CB Jaylon Johnson, DL Shemar Turner progress toward return, CB Terell Smith exits with knee injury

The Bears are making progress toward getting two key defenders back by the Sept. 8 season opener.

Star cornerback Jaylon Johnson did a light workout at Soldier Field on Sunday before the preseason game against the Bills, which was the first time he’s done anything in public view while recovering from a leg injury. Defensive lineman Shemar Turner, who hasn’t practiced in full since hurting his ankle the first day of training camp, also worked out.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles initially said Johnson would miss “a few weeks” and he was “not overly concerned” about anything long term. He has now missed close to a month of training camp, though, and coach Ben Johnson recently the goal is to have him back for Week 1 against the Vikings.

The upside to Jaylon Johnson’s injury is that it has allowed the Bears and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to audition Nahshon Wright with the first team. Wright, a 26-year-old journeyman, has been the surprise of camp and is challenging for Tyrique Stevenson’s starting job.

Terell Smith also has cut into Stevenson’s reps at times over the last three years, but he suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury late in the first half and was carted off the field.

When Johnson returns, Allen will have a tough choice to make. While Stevenson was a starter the last two seasons, there are ongoing concerns about his composure and discipline. Additionally, at 6-foot-4, Wright fits Allen’s ideal makeup for a corner, as opposed to Stevenson at 6-foot.

Turner, meanwhile, is missing crucial experience in his acclimation to the NFL. The Bears aren’t counting on him to be a starter this season, but used a valuable draft pick on him at No. 62 overall and expect him to be a factor at defensive tackle and end as they try to build “waves” of depth up front like the defending champion Eagles, as Poles put it.