Bears cornerback Terell Smith, who was competing for a starting job, is out for the season after hurting his knee Sunday in the preseason game against the Bills.
Smith, 26, was a fifth-round pick out of Minnesota in 2023 who quickly asserted himself as an NFL-caliber corner. He played 26 games over the last two seasons, including six starts, and had one interception, 10 pass breakups, 68 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also played extensively on special teams.
He’s still under contract through next season.
Cornerback is the Bears’ deepest position, though Smith is the third player sidelined by injury. The Bears haven’t had Jaylon Johnson in training camp because of a leg injury, and Kyler Gordon has been out two weeks with a hamstring injury. Both are expected back for the Sept. 8 season opener against the Vikings.
Johnson will start on the outside and Gordon is the starting nickel, while Smith was in the mix with Nahshon Wright and Tyrique Stevenson for the other starting spot outside.