T.J. Edwards and Kyler Gordon Return Just in Time for Monday Night Football

Word out of Halas Hall is that the Chicago Bears are getting back two of their most essential defensive players — just in time for Monday Night Football against the Washington Commanders.

Linebacker T.J. Edwards has been out for most of the season with a hamstring injury. He suited up in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions but played just 30 defensive snaps before re-aggravating the injury and exiting the game.

Defensive back Kyler Gordon, who has been sidelined with his own hamstring issue, hasn’t played a single snap this season. Both Edwards and Gordon returned to practice following the Bears’ bye week, and Gordon went as far as to confirm on Tuesday that he’ll be making his season debut.

“I will be playing,” said the 25-year-old slot corner. “I’ve been annoyed not playing, but I’ve been moving good, attacking rehab. I’m definitely excited to be out there — that’s all I’ve been looking forward to. Playing with my guys and helping the team.”

It’s hard to overstate how much the return of Edwards and Gordon could impact Chicago’s struggling defense.

The Bears currently rank as one of the worst teams in football against the run (31st). Just before the bye, they were gashed for a combined 200 rushing yards on 25 carries by Raiders running backs Ashton Jeanty and Raheem Mostert — that's good for an ugly average of eight yards per carry.

Edwards is one of the league’s premier linebackers against the run, and his ability to diagnose plays and get downhill should immediately help Chicago slow down a Washington rushing attack that ranks No. 1 in the NFL. The Commanders average 156.4 rushing yards per game, led by running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who has racked up 283 yards this season while averaging 6.6 per carry.

Gordon should also make an impact against the run. He’s an exceptional tackler who brings speed, aggression, and energy to the defense — things the Bears have been missing. Expect defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to have some fun dialing up nickel blitzes for him with hopes of creating some negative plays.

The Bears made Gordon the highest-paid slot defender in the NFL for a reason. He fits this scheme perfectly and transforms how Chicago can play in space.

Two players returning from injury won’t suddenly turn this defense into the Monsters of the Midway. Edwards and Gordon can’t fix the pass rush and magically solve Chicago’s issues getting after opposing quarterbacks. Maybe once Austin Booker returns, that story changes.

But the Bears don’t need their defense to be dominant — they just need it to be competent. If Edwards and Gordon can help Chicago stop the run and create a few extra possessions for Caleb Williams and the offense, that’s enough to shift the tide.

Keep the Commanders from controlling the tempo, and let Ben Johnson’s play-calling, Chicago’s talented pass catchers, and the franchise quarterback handle the rest.