Bears DC Dennis Allen on What Has Stood Out About Kyler Gordon

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- With each day that passes, it feels like Kyler Gordon is closer to returning to this Chicago Bears defense. 

Since his 21-day window has been opened to return from the PUP list, the veteran nickel cornerback has been a full participant in every practice -- a good sign for Gordon, who has dealt with a series of soft-tissue injuries dating back to last season, limiting him to just five games played (including two playoff games) since Ben Johnson became the Bears' head coach. 

The Bears do an open roster spot right now. Johnson spoke about the possibilities in regards to any of the players on PUP (Gordon, Shemar Turner or Noah Sewell) being close to returning. 

“We'll let this thing play out," Johnson said on Wednesday. "That's kind of been the thought throughout is let's utilize the time that we have and we're given and we'll make a decision at the end of the week if one of those three are ready to go, so we'll see. We'll see how it works out. We've got a lot of things in flux right now with the roster and who's going to be active here this week and so we'll make those decisions as we go.”

As Johnson mentioned, there are things in flux with the roster, especially since running back Kyle Monangai is dealing with a series of injuries. Depending on his outlook for Week 5's game against the Green Bay Packers, the Bears could be forced to elevate a running back from the practice squad. 

But Gordon and the rest of the PUP players are eligible to be activated off this week. Johnson and the rest of the staff will have to assess what is needed this week to put the team in the best position possible for the NFC North matchup at Lambeau Field. 

If the team determines Gordon or defensive lineman Shemar Turner is ready, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen made sure to set expectations for the PUP players. 

“Yeah, I think with any of these guys that are coming off the PUP list, to think that any of them would be ready to go in there and play, 50, 60, 70 plays in a game, I think that would be unrealistic to think," Allen said. "So with all of these guys, as we begin to get some of them back, I think the prudent action would be start to incorporate them in, and don't expect them to be full-time players initially.”

That makes sense. It also makes sense that Allen wouldn't discuss in detail what Gordon's role would be when he does return. That give the Packers and future opponents a slight advantage. The veteran coordinator did state "there'll be a role for him, and we'll play that out as we see fit.”

Allen did talk about what has stood out to him since Gordon has been back at Halas Hall. 

“Well, I think it's been more about what I've seen out on the practice field," Allen said. "I think he's working hard. I think he's competing out there on the practice field, and that's good to see. I'm excited about all these guys that are coming off the PUP list and how I think they can help and what I think they can bring to the table.”

The Bears will provide some answers soon, with their final practice of the week scheduled for this afternoon and the latest injury report set to be released shorty after.