The Bears are uncertain about two of their defensive mainstays heading into their season opener Monday night against the Vikings.
Linebacker T.J. Edwards, who has started every game the last two seasons, was out of practice all week because of a hamstring injury and is doubtful to play. Top cornerback Jaylon Johnson still is working his way back from an offseason groin injury and a calf issue and is listed as questionable after being limited in each practice.
Johnson said Tuesday his stamina wasn’t where it would have to be for him to play, but head coach Ben Johnson was encouraged that his participation increased each day. Ben Johnson didn’t drop any hints Saturday when he was asked about the probability of Jaylon Johnson being available.
Johnson is among the best players in the NFL at his position and played 97% of the Bears’ defensive snaps last season. They’re deep at cornerback, but there’s no replacing a player of his caliber.
His absence would be especially problematic against the Vikings, who have an elite wide receiver in Justin Jefferson. For the first time in Johnson’s career, the Bears plan to have him stick to the opponent’s best receiver, and he said he was ‘‘enticed’’ by the matchup.
Cornerback probably is the Bears’ strongest unit. Tyrique Stevenson is set to start on the outside, and Nahshon Wright was good in Johnson’s spot during training camp. They also have Kyler Gordon at nickel, and he can play outside, if needed.
Backup nickel Josh Blackwell also is questionable because of a groin injury and was limited in practice Saturday.
With Edwards unlikely to play, there’s a good chance the Bears will start rookie Ruben Hyppolite at linebacker alongside Tremaine Edmunds. Hyppolite was a fourth-round pick out of Maryland and has impressed since the day he arrived.
‘‘It’s a great opportunity,’’ Hyppolite said Saturday. ‘‘I’ll be ready.’’
He called Edwards a ‘‘great leader’’ who has been instrumental in his rapid development.
North battles
Unlike last season, when the Bears played all their NFC North games in the last eight weeks of the season, they’ll dive right into their division schedule with the Vikings on Monday and a visit to the Lions next Sunday for Ben Johnson’s return to Ford Field.
As the Bears prepare to make their debut under Johnson and quarterback J.J. McCarthy gets set for his debut with the Vikings, the reality is that a lot can change between the game Monday and the teams’ rematch in Minneapolis in Week 11.
‘‘As the year goes on, teams start finding out who they are and guys start jelling together and get more chemistry,’’ defensive tackle Gervon Dexter said. ‘‘It’ll be two different teams in November.’’
After playing the Lions next weekend, the Bears won’t see them again until the season finale in January. They will play the Packers in Weeks 14 and 16.
It’s a big weekend in the division all around. The Lions and Packers will play Sunday at Lambeau Field. It will be the Lions’ first game since Johnson left as their offensive coordinator, and it will mark the Packers debut of star pass rusher Micah Parsons.
‘‘Oh, yeah, I’m definitely going to be watching,’’ Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze said. ‘‘Should be exciting. Them boys are going to get after it.’’
Happy returns
Punt and kick returner Devin Duvernay, a free-agent pickup who made the Pro Bowl as a return man in 2021 and 2023, is full-go after practicing through a hamstring injury all week. His backup would be Blackwell.
Notes
The Vikings listed safety Harrison Smith (illness) as doubtful and left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) as questionable. Darrisaw practiced in full Friday and Saturday.
• Backup defensive end Dominique Robinson (oblique) practiced in full and will be available Monday.
• Because the game is on a Monday, the Bears and Vikings don’t have to finalize their rosters, including practice-squad promotions, until 3 p.m. that day. Teams submit them Saturday for Sunday games.