Bears’ encouraging injury returns at practice only add more frustrations regarding the one player that continues to be sidelined
Chicago Bears offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo became the latest player to return to practice from a serious injury and make it back on the field before cornerback Kyler Gordon.
The Chicago Bears received a wave of positive injury news on Sunday, headlined by the return of offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo, who was activated off the PUP list and practiced for the first time since suffering a patellar tendon injury back in January.
It wasn’t the only encouraging development, either. Montez Sweat and Braxton Jones also returned to the field after missing much of last week and the preseason opener.
There was a downside, though. Running back Kyle Monangai left practice with a knee injury. The Bears appear to have dodged a major injury with their second-year running back, though full clarity on the situation has yet to emerge.
The real injury story in Chicago going into the second week of the preseason remains the player who still hasn’t returned. Cornerback Kyler Gordon continues to be sidelined with a calf injury, and there is still no timetable for his return. The frustration has been mounting, and it’s easy to understand why.
Kyler Gordon’s continued absence is becoming more and more concerning for the Chicago Bears
Looking at it this way, I’m sure it’s frustrating to see Dayo Odeyingbo came back from a torn Achilles and participate throughout the majority of the offseason program and now see Trapilo back from a patellar tendon injury and on the practice field all while Gordon remains sidelined.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson was once again asked about Gordon’s situation after Saturday’s game and offered nothing more than “unknown” when asked about a timeline for Gordon’s return.
Robert Mays of The Athletic spent time at Bears training camp this past week and provided some insight into how the organization is approaching the situation. His takeaway was that the Bears simply are doing what they can to be prepared for life without Kyler Gordon.
“I think some of the frustrations have been the off-again, on-again nature of this where they’ve had to make changes and be able to pivot in real time when they’ve been counting on him and then they haven’t been able to,” Mays explained. “Because of that, I think the process right now is that they’re going to move forward as if he isn’t a part of their plan, so they’re not taken by surprise. And if he does come back, then that’s just an added bonus. But, I think the timeline is so murky right now that they probably cannot count on Kyler Gordon to the degree that they’d be wanting to.”
Bears have been exploring contingency plans at nickel cornerback and got a good look at it on Saturday
That preparation for life without Gordon has taken multiple turns. Cam Lewis has been working in the nickel spot, though he has also missed time with an injury and has taken some reps at safety since Coby Bryant went down. Rookie fourth-round pick Malik Muhammad II received a significant number of nickel reps during the preseason opener, giving the coaching staff a closer look at what the young defensive back can offer.
It continues to be an ongoing situation, and the Bears would obviously prefer to have Gordon back sooner rather than later. With Trapilo’s return generating so much buzz, fans are growing even more anxious to see Gordon rejoin the group next.
The timing makes this week particularly important. Chicago has a joint practice scheduled against the Cincinnati Bengals later this week, followed by the second preseason game this weekend. Those sessions represent a valuable opportunity for competitive reps for Muhammad to continue working at the nickel spot.
The other question is whether the Bears can get Gordon on the field for any of it, or whether he continues to be sidelined as he has been throughout the majority of the offseason. If that continues to be the case, concerns about his availability for Week 1 will only grow louder.
