Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen give injury updates on two key defenders who have missed time during Bears training camp
Week 1 is quickly approaching.
The Chicago Bears are seven days into training camp and the competition continues to heat up.
Head coach Ben Johnson noted early Thursday morning that today’s practice is expected to be the longest yet with the staff hoping to see certain players separate themselves from the pack before having a players’ day off.
As competition and battles continue to roll on, the Bears have continued to be without two key defenders for the majority of camp in cornerback Jaylon Johnson and rookie defensive lineman Shemar Turner.
Johnson, the team’s top cornerback, has missed the entirety of training camp due to a leg injury suffered while training away from the team. Turner, the team’s second-round draft choice, left practice last week due to an ankle sprain that’s expected to sideline him up to four weeks.
When speaking with reporters on Thursday, Johnson provided a little optimism for Johnson’s return.
“I think there’s a scenario where he’ll be ready for Week 1,” Johnson said. “That’s really the target date. I know he’s working hard and diligently to get there for that. With those types of injuries that he’s got, you just never know.”‘
When it comes to Johnson missing time, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen noted he feels good about the veteran being able to return and make up for the lost time.
As for his rookie defensive lineman, it’ll be a little more of a challenge to get caught up to speed with the rest of the defense.
“It’s a challenge,” Allen said of Turner. “The thing he’s got to be able to do right now is, No. 1, attack the rehab and try to get back out as quickly as he can. And then he’s got to make sure he’s focused in on the things that he can do in terms of the meetings, because when we’re making corrections on the field or in the meeting room, we’re not just making corrections for that particular individual that we might be speaking to. We’re speaking to the whole room. We’ve got to be able to coach the hell out of the guys that are out there and try to get him back out as quickly as we can. And then once we get him out there, try to get him caught up to speed as quickly as we can.”
The timeline for Turner remains at four weeks, which will put him in line for a potential return ahead of the Week 1 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. If the injury persists longer than that, starting on the IR could be an option as well.
As for rookie cornerback Zah Frazier, who’s missed all of camp so far, Johnson said he’s still dealing with a personal issue and did not elaborate more than that.
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Training camp battles are starting to heat up.
