Key defensive players returning from injury could finally unleash Chicago's secondary, bolstering their chances against the Eagles' potent receiving duo.
The Bears have not had it easy when it's come to injuries on the defense lately.
Chicago was without all three starting linebackers on Sunday in the 31-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds and Noah Sewell all missed the game due to injury. Luckily, D'Marco Jackson, Amen Ogbongbemiga and Ruben Hyppolite II stepped up in a big way.
The secondary has dealt with injuries all season long, with Jaylon Johnson (groin) and Kyler Gordon (calf) both suffering long-term injuries. Johnson hasn't played since Week 2, while Gordon was placed on the injured reserve ahead of Week 8.
While it has been a while since Chicago has had a healthy secondary, the Bears have also not had Johnson, Gordon and Jaquan Brisker on the field together at the same time throughout their NFL careers.
Brisker and Gordon were drafted in 2022, but the pair has only played with Johnson in 31 of 62 possible games thus far. In 2023, they all played 15 games together and allowed 195.1 passing yards per game, ranking in the top 10 in the NFL.
There was a glimmer of hope in the eyes of Bears fans on Wednesday, as the injury report showed that both Johnson and Gordon were full participants the last two days at practice. Wednesday is the only day that the team will practice this week, and Tuesday was a walk-through session.
Without Johnson and Gordon on the field, the Bears have allowed the 13th-most passing yards per game (235.82).
While it's been brutal not having either available, one silver lining at corner this season has been Nahshon Wright. Wright is tied for the NFL's lead in interceptions (5) with Kevin Byard and has 49 total tackles, two fumble recoveries and three tackles for loss.
In Gordon's absence, the team signed veteran defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson to fill the nickel spot at corner. Gardner-Johnson has accounted for 20 total tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss and one forced fumble.
While Gordon's return may result in less playing time for Gardner-Johnson, it would be huge to have him and Johnson back in the lineup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith once again lead the Eagles at receiver. Smith leads the team with 754 receiving yards, while Brown has 567.
The Bears and Eagles will face off at 2 p.m. CT on Black Friday, as Chicago fans will eagerly await the potential return of their team's top two cornerbacks.