Jaylon

Johnson

A report from last week indicated that Johnson had not been present at the Bears’ facility. Veterans sometimes stay home early in the spring, so it wasn’t a huge issue, but it is nice to know that the Bears’ star cornerback is back in the building, working out with his teammates. Johnson was sidelined by a significant offseason injury last year, variously reported as groin, hamstring and calf issues. He played in Weeks 1 and 2 before ultimately undergoing core muscle surgery and returning in Week 13. Hopefully, Johnson enjoys good health this season.

Veterans sometimes skip voluntary activities, even when the team prefers that they attend. The Bears would undoubtedly prefer to have Johnson, their star cornerback, at the facility for spring practices following an injury-ruined 2025 season. We would too. It would be nice to know what kind of shape he is in. Johnson is an elite perimeter coverage defender, capable of dissuading quarterbacks from testing his coverage. Johnson played in Week 2, underwent core muscle surgery in September 2025 and resumed playing in Week 13. Bears DB coach and pass game coordinator Al Harris has “no doubt” that Johnson, fully healthy, will return to form. He needs to show up first, though.

Johnson and fellow corner Kyler Gordon will both be activated in time for Week 13’s game against the Eagles, giving the Bears two key members of their secondary. Johnson (groin) hasn’t played since Week 2’s game against the Lions, but has totaled six interceptions and 18 pass breakups since 2023. He should provide an immediate boost to a secondary that ranks 21st in yards allowed and 29th in yards per attempt this season.

Neither did Ruben Hyppolite (shoulder), LB Noah Sewell (elbow), or CB Tyrique Stevenson (hip) on the estimated report. The good news is that Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson, both on IR, practiced in full on Tuesday. Still, down several linebackers, this could be a smash spot for the struggling Saquon Barkley on Black Friday.

Johnson and Kyler Gordon (hamstring) are both listed as questionable, but Fowler reports neither will be activated from injured reserve to face the Steelers in Week 12. Fowler passes along that the team is hopeful both can return in Week 13 against Philadelphia. Both cornerbacks were placed on injured reserve after suffering injuries in training camp.

Bears slot CB Kyler Gordon (hamstring) and S Jaquan Brisker (shoulder) are also questionable to play. All three players practiced fully on Friday, but the team will be cautious here. Both Johnson and Gordon were placed on injured reserve due to injuries suffered in training camp, and Johnson required core muscle surgery to correct his groin issue.

Johnson underwent core muscle surgery earlier this season and was placed on injured reserve, along with slot CB Kyler Gordon, who aggravated a hamstring strain suffered in August. Since last Friday, the Bears have designated both players to return. Gordon and No. 2 perimeter CB Tyrique Stevenson (hip/calf) remain limited at practice, but the unit’s health is significantly improving.

The Bears will have 21 days to activate Johnson from injured reserve, but this is a very encouraging sign for a defense in need of help in the secondary. Johnson hasn’t played since the Bears’ Week 1 loss to the Lions, but would be on track to return no later than December 7th when the Bears visit the Packers in Week 14. One of the top corners in the league, Johnson totaled 53 tackles, eight pass breakups, and two intereceptions for the Bears last season and has been named to the Pro Bowl in back-to-back years.

Johnson didn’t rule out a possible return this season for his corner, but this surgery will likely land him on injured reserve for the foreseeable future. Johnson was injured in the Bears’ Week 1 loss to the Lions and hasn’t seen the field since, but his extended absence is bad news for a Bears secondary that has already struggled out of the gate.

Johnson is meeting with Dr. William Meyers of The Vincera Institute later this week, with the assumption that surgery will be the preferred option. Per Rapoport, Johnson could return in the second half of the season if he ends up undergoing the procedure. Johnson missed the first two games of the year while dealing with the injury. The fact that the Bears did not put him on injured reserve suggests the injury was worse than they initially expected. Johnson is one of many defenders out for Week 3, putting the Cowboys’ passing attack in a great spot to put up points with ease.