Ben Johnson provides updates on Jaylon Johnson and Bears defensive injuries

Ariana Pensy · Correspondent · 3 hours ago

CHICAGO - The Chicago Bears' defense has been dealing with injuries before the season even started. However, they could be getting one of their best defenders back this week against the Minnesota Vikings on Sun, Nov. 16 (Noon / FOX).

All-Pro Jaylon Johnson’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve (IR) has officially opened, and he was limited in practice on Friday. Johnson is listed as questionable against Minnesota.

If he does not return in this game, he could easily return in Chicago’s next game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sun, Nov 23 (Noon / CBS).

“We’ll see how long it’ll take to get him back in shape, but I think he’s in a good spot right now, and I think being out on the grass is going to be a good thing for him,” head coach Ben Johnson said. “This year has not gone the way he really envisioned it. You come in and it happens during the summer, the initial, and you miss training camp and then you’re hopeful you’re back to where you were before and you get hurt in the first game back and I think (he) really wants to be out there and so, he’s worked his tail off to get to this point and it’s on us as coaches to put him in a good spot here going forward to get them ready to compete here in the rest of the year.”

Chicago still has multiple other defensive players who are injured. Defensive back Kyler Gordon is still on IR, and his 21-day window has not been opened. Linebacker T.J. Edwards (hand/hamstring) will be out against the Vikings.

However, Johnson hopes that as the Bears get into December, when he wants them to be playing at their best, these players will be back on the field.

“We could potentially have some reinforcements coming between when we get TJ back, when we get Jaylon back, when we get Kyler back. I think those are three guys, going into the season, you had a lot of high hopes for and what they could do,” Johnson said. “I certainly had a tremendous amount of respect for all three of those guys competing against them the last few years, and so, I’ll be excited when we get all three back on the field together.”

There has been considerable discussion about the 2024 NFL quarterback draft class. Both Chicago’s quarterback, Caleb Williams, and Minnesota’s quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, were top-10 picks in that draft. Things are finally starting to click for Williams in his development. But there are still critics who believe he is not where he should be.

Johnson said Williams has done a good job of blocking that outside noise and focusing on his progression.

“We always try to keep our focus on the main thing. I think Caleb does a great job avoiding distraction. It’s something that he’s lived in his entire life, it seems like. So, he’s very well accustomed to it and I think he understands that the people that are close to him, those are the ones that should carry the most weight in terms of what their opinion is and how he can improve,” Johnson said. “I’m very pleased with how he’s been progressing. I think that’s where we are as a league right now is everyone wants instant gratification. You win a game and next thing you know, you’re Super Bowl contenders. You lose a game and next thing you know, you’re out of it and so, that’s the world we live in and it certainly goes to quarterback play as well.”

Johnson started his head coaching career with two division losses, but he and the Bears have since gone 6-1, tying them with the Detroit Lions for the best record in the division.

This rematch against Minnesota is important not only to maintain Chicago’s momentum but also to secure the Bears' first division win of the season, which could be crucial in the playoff race.

“We’re 0-2 in the division right now. This is a big one for us,” Johnson said. “We desperately need this win.”