Chicago Bears two-time Professional Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson was amongst 4 gamers positioned on the crew’s lively/non-football damage (NFI) checklist on Saturday.
The severity of Johnson’s damage is unclear, however it is going to be value monitoring as coaching camp and preseason video games get underway.
Bears rookies reported to camp on Saturday, whereas veterans will observe on Tuesday.
Johnson, a 2020 second-round choose, is coming off consecutive Professional Bowl appearances and is integral to the Bears protection.
Final season, he began all 17 video games and had two interceptions, eight passes defended and a compelled fumble. Per Pro Football Reference data, he solely allowed two interceptions on 56 protection targets.
If Johnson stays on the NFI checklist by the NFL’s roster cut-down day on Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. ET, the Bears should place him on the reserve/non-football damage checklist, which might end in him lacking at minimal the season’s first 4 video games.
Expectations elevated in Chicago when it employed former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as head coach earlier this offseason.
Whereas the offense may enhance in quarterback Caleb Williams’ second season, Johnson’s damage may result in a defensive downturn.
Regardless of rating twenty seventh in yards allowed a season in the past, the Bears have been thirteenth in scoring protection due to their second-ranked red-zone protection. Chicago additionally allowed the league’s fewest passing touchdowns (17).
From Weeks 1-3 this upcoming season, the Bears face Minnesota Vikings huge receiver Justin Jefferson, Detroit Lions huge receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Dallas Cowboys huge receiver CeeDee Lamb. These matchups will probably be immensely tougher if Johnson is unavailable.
The Bears may simply be taking a precautionary method with Johnson, not wanting him to take pointless dangers early in coaching camp.
That will be the best-case state of affairs. In any other case, Chicago might be in for a tough begin to the 2025 season.
