Bears Inactives vs. Vikings: Chicago relying on depth players in a depleted secondary against J.J. McCarthy and Justin Jefferson
The worst possible news for Week 1.
The Chicago Bears officially got the worst possible news on the injury front going into Monday night’s regular season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
Starting defensive backs Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon will NOT being playing in Week 1 to due injury, a big blow to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s unit going up against Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy and wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
Johnson returned to practice for the first time since reporting back from the summer this week after a groin injury forced him to miss all of training camp. The team’s lone 2024 Pro Bowler was expected to ramp up throughout the week to see if he would be able to suit up but was held out after working out with trainers prior to kickoff.
As for Gordon, the team’s starting nickel corner missed as while during training camp due to a hamstring injury that popped back up on the injury report on Sunday. Chicago’s top backup in the nickel, Josh Blackwell, will be active despite dealing with a groin injury.
Being without Johnson and Gordon sucks, but the Bears preparation could pay off
Don’t get me wrong, not having Johnson and Gordon on the field is going to be detrimental for the Bears defense based on the impact both players bring to the unit.
But, the Bears’ backups are prepared to step up in their absence. Like I mentioned above, Johnson and Gordon pretty much missed all of training camp, including all three preseason games, due to these injuries, which forced other players to step up and show what they can do.
Two 2025 additions in Nahshon Wright and Nick McCloud were the main ones to step up over the last month or so with Johnson and Gordon sidelined. Wright has experience working with defensive backs coach Al Harris and more than earned playing time as an outside cornerback for this defense. In the preseason, McCloud allowed just one reception on 40 coverage snaps playing mostly in the slot and looked much improved throughout camp.
Chicago also has Tyrique Stevenson starting on the outside, who has continued to develop in a positive way going into his third season, and recently added Jaylon Jones back to the cornerback room off waivers. It’s worth noting the team opted not to elevate another cornerback off the practice squad for Week 1.
“Depth is what you need in this league,” Allen said back in August. “Eventually, injuries happen in this league and you’re going to have to call upon some guys that are going to be backup players to have to come out and play at a starter’s level. That’s why we coach every single one of them the same way, from the top of the roster down to the bottom of the roster. We’re going to need all of these guys.”
The Bears are learning that lesson early in Week 1 and the defensive back room isn’t the only position missing a top-level starter. Starting linebacker T.J. Edwards will be out as well against the Vikings with rookie linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II expected to start in his place.
As for the other inactives, the Bears ruled out quarterback Case Keenum, running back Roschon Johnson, defensive lineman Shemar Turner and offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie.
Chicago Bears News
Ben Johnson’s comments seem to hint at which weapons he will look to prioritize against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1
He’s showing his hand just a little.
