Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson is doing his due diligence to return to action. He hopes to be competing for playing time in their November 20th Monday night Football opener against the Minnesota Vikings. The dynamic U.S. defender has missed nearly two months with a serious groin injury he picked up in a non-contact training incident over the summer. He has yet to play in a single preseason game. Whether he’ll be along for the ride as the Bears head into the 2024 season is still up in the air.
Several months later, head coach Ben Johnson admitted that they expected Johnson to take the field for Week 1. He stressed that that’s not a guarantee. “It’s kind of been a little bit of mix and match there,” said Ryan Poles, general manager of the Bears, highlighting the team’s ongoing adjustments in response to injuries.
Johnson’s injury was a freak accident that happened while he was working on releases with receivers. He termed the groin ailment “pretty bad.” Due to that he was put on the non-football injury list. This injury forced him to miss the entirety of training camp, which only added to his burden of snacks on the Bears’ secondary.
After a lengthy rehabilitation from the injury, Johnson was back on the field Wednesday with practice commencing, his first practice since the spring workouts. Although he is still getting used to his new reality, he is hopeful about his recovery. Thursday’s injury report listed him as limited with an estimate because of new issues with his groin and calf.
Johnson’s return is crucial not only for his personal growth but for the Bears’ defense. During the 2024 season he tied for the team lead with two interceptions, a sign of how vital he’s been to the defensive unit. His presence on the field could provide a significant boost, particularly as he works to regain game speed and re-establish communication with teammates.
Even the coaching staff and players understand how important Johnson is to the defense. Tyrique Stevenson, a fellow cornerback, expressed confidence in Johnson’s impact: “Whenever a guy misses that significant amount of time, you’re very cautious in making sure that injury doesn’t reoccur. Having our own CB1 on the ground will give us a tremendous advantage. It will provide the additional energy and confidence boost we so desperately need to consistently compete at the highest level.
As Johnson prepares for his possible debut with the team this Sunday against the Vikings, he’s just focusing on getting into football shape and being ready to go. “That’s what I am looking forward to the most. That’s what I train for. That’s what I work hard for,” he stated. He emphasized the need to avoid jumping back in with both feet before it’s safe to do so. For this game, it’s tough to say.
The Bears are hopeful that Johnson can be reintegrated into the defensive scheme, even if it means starting off in a limited capacity against their division rivals. His ability to take away the other team’s best receiver will be key. The secondary is viewed as the biggest strength of the defense.
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