Latest Jaylon Johnson update hints the Bears Pro Bowl cornerback may be back on the field sooner than many expected
Is he ready for a Week 12 return?
The Chicago Bears dropped massive news last week when the team opened the 21-day practice window for Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson to return from the injured reserve.
Johnson has been out of action since the Week 2 loss to the Detroit Lions after further injuring his groin, prompting him to undergo core muscle surgery. The hope was that Johnson would eventually get cleared later in the season.
With the 21-day window opened, Johnson was back at practice last Friday as a limited participant but eventually ruled out for the Week 11 game against the Minnesota Vikings. The likely target window for his return was expected to be either Week 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles or the following week against the Green Bay Packers, but could it be earlier than that?
Latest update on Jaylon Johnson uses the phrase ‘He’s Ready’
Late Tuesday night, NFL rehab specialist Montel Fleming posted another video of Johnson working out on his Instagram story. Last week, Fleming had a similar post hinting at Johnson’s return. This post had a more definite phrase saying “He’s ready.”
It could all be speculation but it sounds to me like Johnson is aiming to come back on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12. His return will be a big boost for the Bears defense and potentially being back as soon as this weekend would be huge.
But, the Bears will want to be smart about this. Chicago played it safe with Austin Booker and Amen Ogbongbemiga’s return from the injured reserve earlier this season, waiting until the final day of the 21-day window to finally activate them back to the active roster.
Saying Johnson is able to suit up and return against the Steelers, he will be walking into a tough challenge against wide receiver DK Metcalf. The plan all along for this defense was to have Johnson shadow opposing #1 receivers and Metcalf presents a tough matchup for anyone.
Last December, when the Bears faced the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17, Johnson was targeted one time against Metcalf, allowing a five yard reception. Things could be different this time around with Aaron Rodgers potentially under center throwing the ball. But, the last time Johnson faced Rodgers in 2022, he did not allow a single reception and was only targeted once.
Getting Johnson back for this game would be huge, but I could see the Bears giving him another week of practice before taking the field. Personally, the Black Friday matchup is still the earliest I would put Johnson back on the field to make sure he’s fully recovered. But, we’ll see how hard he pushes to play.
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