Chicago Bears two-time Professional Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson was amongst 4 gamers positioned on the crew’s lively/non-football damage (NFI) record on Saturday.
The severity of Johnson’s damage is unclear, however it is going to be price 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 decide, 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 pressured fumble. Per Pro Football Reference data, he solely allowed two interceptions on 56 protection targets.
If Johnson stays on the NFI record 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 record, which might lead to 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 might 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 because of 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 vast receiver Justin Jefferson, Detroit Lions vast receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Dallas Cowboys vast 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 may be the best-case situation. In any other case, Chicago might be in for a tough begin to the 2025 season.
