Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Won't come off IR for Week 12
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Johnson (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Steelers and will remain on IR for now.
Johnson hasn't played since Week 2 and underwent core-muscle surgery in late September. The veteran cornerback was designated to return from IR on Nov. 14, but he's not yet ready to return to game action. Johnson was able to practice in full both Thursday and Friday this week, so there appears to be a decent chance he'll be activated in time to play next Friday versus the Eagles.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Could return Sunday
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Johnson (groin) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Steelers.
Johnson practiced in full both Thursday and Friday but must still be activated to the Bears' active roster in order to suit up in Week 12. He's an integral part of Chicago's defense, appearing in 17 games and recording 53 total tackles, eight passes defensed, including two interceptions, and one forced fumble in 2024. If Johnson returns Sunday, he'll likely operate as the Bears' top boundary corner.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Upgrades to full practice
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Johnson (groin) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Johnson has managed to upgrade to full reps in his third practice since being designated to return from IR, presumably putting him on track to suit up Sunday versus the Steelers. The Bears still have to activate Johnson to the 53-man roster, however. The standout cornerback has missed Chicago's last eight games due to a groin injury.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Still limited at practice Wednesday
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Johnson (groin) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.
Johnson has missed Chicago's last eight games because of a groin injury he suffered in Week 2 at Detroit, but his recent return to practice signals he is getting closer to being back to full strength. He'll still probably have to practice in full Thursday or Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Downgrades to out
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Johnson (groin) has been downgraded and ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Vikings.
Johnson is now in line to miss his eighth game in a row as he continues to recover from a groin injury. He must still be activated from the Bears' injured reserve list in order to play in the Week 12 matchup against the Steelers. While the 26-year-old remains sidelined, expect Nahshon Wright and Tyrique Stevenson to operate as Chicago's top boundary corners.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Could return Sunday
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Johnson (groin) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Vikings.
The All-Pro corner from Utah has missed the Bears' last seven games due to a groin injury, but he returned to practice and logged a limited session Friday. Johnson still remains on the injured reserve list and must be activated to Chicago's active roster in order to play Sunday. If active, he's expected to operate as one of the team's top boundary cornerbacks.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Practice window opens Friday
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Johnson's (groin) 21-day practice window was opened Friday.
Johnson can rejoin his teammates for practice starting Friday, though an official transaction within the 21-day window will be required for Johnson to be activated from injured reserve and rejoin the active roster. Such a move could happen before Sunday's game against the Vikings, which would be a significant boost for Chicago's banged-up secondary. Johnson's only appearance of the 2025 season so far came in Week 2 against the Lions.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Likely to undergo surgery
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Johnson (groin) will likely undergo core muscle surgery next week and could return during the second half of the regular season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Johnson aggravated a groin injury during the Bears' Week 2 loss to the Lions, which was severe enough for him to be placed on injured reserve Saturday. He'll fly to Philadelphia to get a consultation on undergoing core muscle surgery, and there's optimism that the 2020 second-rounder will return during the regular season if he undergoes the procedure. The Bears will likely to turn to Nahshon Wright to start at outside corner opposite Tyrique Stevenson, while Dallis Flowers and Josh Blackwell serve in a rotational role.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Full-go at walkthrough
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Johnson (groin/calf) was estimated to be a full participant at the Bears' walkthrough Wednesday, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Johnson was sidelined Week 1 while dealing with both a groin issue and a calf injury, but he appears to be on track to return to action Sunday against the Lions. Head coach Ben Johnson was optimistic that the cornerback will be able to play in Week 2, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, but Johnson's status at practice the rest of the week will be worth monitoring.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Officially inactive
Rotowire
Johnson (groin) is inactive for Monday night's game against the Minnesota.
Johnson missed the entire summer with his groin injury and just started ramping up his practice activity this past week. It wasn't enough time for Johnson to get cleared for game action. With Johnson and slot CB Kyler Gordon (hamstring) both inactive for Monday night, it's a big boost to the Minnesota passing attack, including Justin Jefferson and slot receiver Adam Thielen.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Questionable for MNF
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Johnson (groin) is questionable for Monday night's game against the Vikings.
Johnson got in a round of limited practices this week, but it remains to be seen if he will be available for Monday night's Week 1 opener after he missed all of training camp and the preseason.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Limited Thursday
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Johnson (calf/groin) was listed as limited on Thursday's practice estimate.
Johnson was forced to sit out all of training camp and the preseason due to a lingering groin injury, so it's encouraging to see him 'limited' as he works to gain clearance for Week 1. The Pro Bowl cornerback will have two more chances to upgrade his activity level ahead of Monday night's home opener against the Vikings.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: On track for season opener
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Johnson (leg) is on track to be ready for the Bears' season opener, Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com reports.
Johnson was placed on the active/non-football injury list prior to training camp after suffering an injury away from the team. The 26-year-old is progressing through his injury as expected and has the goal of returning in the Bears' season opener against the Vikings and wide receiver Justin Jefferson. The 2020 second-round pick continued to make a name for himself last season, he appeared in all 17 games and was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl, recording 53 tackles (42 solo), two interceptions, eight pass defenses and a forced fumble.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Placed on active/NFI list
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Johnson (undisclosed) was placed on the active/non-football injury list by the Bears on Saturday.
Once he's ready to resume practice, Johnson can return from the active/NFI list at any time throughout training camp and the preseason. The cornerback suffered a quadriceps injury in Chicago's regular-season finale against Green Bay but returned in time to participate in OTAs in June, so this appears to be another issue. The 2023 All-Pro signed a four-year, $76-million extension with the Bears in March of 2024 and has started all 70 games he's played in during his five-year career.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Unlikely to return vs. Green Bay
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Johnson (quadriceps) is doubtful to return to Sunday's game against the Packers.
Johnson suffered a quadriceps injury in the third quarter of Sunday's game, and it appears unlikely that he will return for the fourth quarter after going back to the locker room. Kyler Gordon could shift over from slot to outside corner, or Terell Smith could come in for Johnson. On the season, Johnson posted a career-high 53 tackles, though he only had two interceptions. Chicago's No. 1 cornerback is signed through 2027.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Gets green light
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Johnson (illness) is good to go for Sunday's game versus the Lions.
Johnson was a late addition to the Bears' injury report Friday due to an illness. It looks like he has since moved on from the issue. Barring any setbacks, look for him to take on his usual role at cornerback opposite Tyrique Stevenson.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Questionable with pop-up illness
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Johnson (illness) did not practice Friday and is questionable for Chicago's Week 16 game against the Lions.
Johnson popped up on Chicago's injury report Friday with an illness, and he's now at risk of missing the conference matchup versus Detroit. The fifth-year cornerback has not yet missed an outing this season, and his game status should be revealed approximately 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday morning.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Picks off pass
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Johnson recorded three tackles and an interception in the Bears' 24-17 win over the Titans on Sunday.
After posting a career-high four interceptions in 2023, Johnson started out the new season on a high note. Also, Johnson averaged 2.57 tackles last year, so his tackle production in this game was in line with previous levels. Based on his moderate tackle totals, Johnson is often reliant upon interceptions to have strong fantasy performances.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Getting four-year deal
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Johnson (shoulder) and the Bears agreed to terms on a four-year, $76 million contract extension Thursday, Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com reports.
Johnson, whom Chicago extended the franchise tag to Tuesday, is instead sticking around on a multi-year contract that includes $43.8 million guaranteed at signing, per Schultz. A second-team All-Pro in 2023, Johnson is now being paid as one of the NFL's premier cornerbacks, a level which he played up to last season. His presence provides the Bears with a reliable pillar in the secondary, one which the rest of the defense can be built around, health provided. Across his four years in the league, Johnson -- who is presumably past the shoulder issue that sidelined him in Week 18 last season -- has managed to suit up for 13, 15, 11, and 14 regular-season games.
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Bears' Jaylon Johnson: Working on new contract
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Bears general manager Ryan Poles said the Bears are in the process of getting a contract extension done with Johnson (shoulder), Chris Emma of 670TheScore.com reports.
Johnson is coming off a strong fourth season, having recorded 36 tackles, 10 passes defended and four interceptions during the 2023 campaign. He'll be one of the top potential free agents this offseason if the Bears are unable to re-sign him before free agency begins. According to Adam Jahns of The Athletic, Poles would like to avoid using the franchise tag on Johnson, but it's not clear if they will if they're unable to each an agreement on an extension.
