This Thanksgiving, Chicago Bears fans can be thankful that their favorite team finally has a healthy secondary. On Thursday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport is reporting the Bears are activating cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon from injured reserve ahead of their Black Friday matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. It has been a long time coming for both players, who should give a boost to the defense as the Bears look to make the postseason for the first time in five years.
Johnson, who missed the entirety of training camp with a groin injury, has been out for nearly the entire season with a similar injury that he suffered during the Bears’ Week 2 loss to the Detroit Lions. The injury required surgery, which Johnson has been rehabbing from over the last two months. He returned to practice a couple weeks ago and has been getting up to speed, ready to make his return. Johnson made two tackles in his limited snaps.
Gordon, meanwhile, has dealt with his own share of ailments throughout the season. He missed the first four games with a hamstring injury and returned to action in Week 6 against the Washington Commanders. Gordon lasted just two games before a calf and groin injury shelved him for another five weeks. In two games, Gordon has six tackles, one for loss, and a fumble recovery.
It remains to be seen how many snaps Johnson and Gordon will see on Friday. The two of them have played less than 10 quarters of football combined this year, but they are excellent defenders when they’re on the field. Their return also creates questions of whose playing time will diminish. Reserves such as Nahshon Wright and CJ Gardner-Johnson have excelled after being pressed into duty, and the Bears coaching staff will want to make sure they still see playing time. Regardless, the Bears are getting reinforcements at the right time with Johnson and Gordon’s return against an Eagles offense that has plenty of talent.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears to activate Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon from IR vs. Eagles
Reporting by Brendan Sugrue, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
