Bears announce injury updates leading up to training camp, including disappointing setbacks for Kyler Gordon and T.J. Edwards
The Chicago Bears placed five players on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) ahead of the start of training camp, including CB Kyler Gordon who’s availability is starting to become a major concern for the team.
The Chicago Bears had players back in the building on Saturday for the start of training camp and announced wave of roster moves ahead of practice next week.
The Bears are placing cornerback Kyler Gordon on the physically unable to perform list along with four other players while adding linebacker T.J. Edwards to the non-football injury list. Rookies reported to Halas Hall on Saturday with veterans expected Tuesday and the first day of practice set for Wednesday.
What is the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list?
Players who aren’t healthy enough to pass the conditioning test at the beginning of training camp will be placed on the Active/PUP list.
- Players on the Active/PUP list still count against the 90-man roster.
- Players on the Active/PUP list at the start of camp can return to practice at any point.
- Players on the Active/PUP list during 53-man roster cuts are placed on the Reserve/PUP list.
- Players placed on the Reserve/PUP list must miss at least four regular-season games before becoming eligible to return.
Still no forward progress for Kyler Gordon to open training camp
Gordon’s placement on the PUP list is the headline, and it’s the troubling one. The Bears cornerback missed 14 games during the 2025 season due to soft tissue injuries and then missed the start of the offseason program again with a soft tissue issue. The pattern of availability concerns has clearly frustrated the coaching staff after head coach Ben Johnson openly expressing displeasure about Gordon’s inability to stay on the field earlier this offseason.
“We spoke last year and neither one of us were really happy with how it went just from a perspective of being available to get to know each other,” Johnson said in the spring of Gordon. “I think he only played in three games when I look back at it. So this spring was going to be a springboard for us to get going the right direction and we’re still working through that. We’re still trying to get that availability piece going. . .
We know he is a good player when he is out there, but trust level’s a huge thing for this team, for this coaching staff, for the locker room. You can only develop that trust by being available.”
Gordon’s absence leaves a hole in a secondary that needs him healthy to reach its ceiling. The Bears invested in Gordon as a key piece of their defensive backfield, and his continued inability to stay on the field is a problem Chicago can not continue to afford at the position for much longer. We’ll see who replaces him in the starting lineup next week, whether that’ll be veteran safety Cam Lewis or rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad.
Big blow to the linebacker room, including a slight setback for veteran starter T.J. Edwards
The other concerning development was with Edwards landing on the non-football injury list. The veteran linebacker was expected to start alongside Devin Bush when camp opened, and surprisingly returned to the field during the offseason program just a few months after suffering a fractured fibula.
Edwards is reportedly dealing with a minor muscle strain suffered away from the facility, but he’s not expected to be on the NFI list for long. Rookie Keyshaun Elliott and fellow linebacker Noah Sewell were also placed on the PUP list at the linebacker position. Elliott missed time during the offseason program with an unspecified injury while Sewell is still recovering from a late-season Achilles tear.
Other notable injury designations
Two other players were placed on the PUP list as the continue rehabbing from season-ending injuries, and both were members of the 2025 draft class. Offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo’s placement was anticipated after suffering a torn patellar tendon during the playoffs that is expected to force him miss the majority of the 2026 season.
The other designation was with defensive lineman Shemar Turner. Turner tore his ACL earlier in the 2025 season, and the Bears were hoping to have him available at the start of camp. It appears he’ll need a little more time before returning to the field.
These setbacks are, of course, disappointing to see ahead of training camp, but the Bears are prepared. Chicago added multiple linebackers to the roster this offseason and have depth in the secondary to make up for Gordon’s absence. However, the quicker Edwards and Gordon can get back on the field, the better.