Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson provided updates on players opening their 21-day practice window after being on the PUP list and some updates on offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson.
The Chicago Bears got some positive news on Wednesday from head coach Ben Johnson.
Defensive lineman Shemar Turner and linebacker Noah Sewell had their 21-day practice window opened after being on the PUP list and practiced on Wednesday. Both players suffered season-ending injuries last season. Turner tore his ACL in Week 8 against the Baltimore Ravens, and Sewell injured his Achilles in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17.
With the practice window officially opened for both players, there is an opportunity for the team to activate Turner and Sewell to the 53-man roster if they are ready. The earliest the two can return is in Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers. If either player isn't cleared in the 21-day practice window, they will go on season-ending IR.
Now, the Bears had one more player who was also on the PUP list, nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon.
Johnson was asked on Wednesday if there have been any encouraging signs for the Bears' defensive back in the last few weeks.
"I've got nothing to add there," Johnson said.
Since Gordon has been on IR, the Bears' head coach has kept his answers brief about him, focusing his attention on the players who are available and practicing.
Speaking of practicing, two players are heading in the opposite directions. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson injured his hamstring in Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. He is now considered week to week.
When Stevenson missed a few snaps in the 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers, rookie Malik Muhammad moved from the nickel spot to outside corner. That could be a possibility if Stevenson misses time.
Offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo continues to trend in the right direction and was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. On the Bears' final injury report last week, he didn't have any injury designation.
Johnson shared what the next phase is for the 2025 second-round draft pick.
"Yeah, we'll keep working him through these team drills," Johnson said. "That's where these padded practices are so invaluable for us, not just for Ozzy, but we alluded to the guys coming off the PUP, just making sure we maximize their ability to get in football shape the best that we can. So it's something we look at at the end of each week, just all of Ozzy's reps over the course of the week. What do they look like, and continue to coach him up and get improvement as we go through it.
I think he still is gaining confidence in just being able to put all of his weight in it and being a powerful player and yet, in some ways, he's a little bit more flexible and fluid than he was before, which is amazing. And it's a credit to him and those guys that have been working with him. But yeah, it's just a matter of time now before we feel like he's ready for a game."
