A crucial nickel corner may return, bolstering a struggling secondary just as the Bears face their playoff rivals. His health is key.
The Chicago Bears enter the playoffs after a disappointing end to the regular season.
Chicago lost 19-16 to the Detroit Lions but still clinched the No. 2 seed in the NFC after the Washington Commanders beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-17.
Now the only focus is on surviving and advancing through the postseason. The Bears take on the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round this Saturday, in round three between the hated rivals this season.
Days before the game, there was a sliver of hope offered to fans by head coach Ben Johnson. Johnson was asked about the status of nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon.
Gordon has been on the injured reserve since Week 14 after suffering a groin injury in pregame warmups before the Packers game. The corner's list of injuries has been long in 2025.
It started in the summer, when a hamstring issue kept him out of the first four regular-season games. He returned in Week 6 to face the Commanders but was only around for two games before injuring his calf and going on the IR ahead of the Baltimore Ravens game in Week 8.
He returned from that IR stint in Week 13, along with Jaylon Johnson, who had been out since Week 2 with a groin injury. Gordon stayed off the IR for another week before returning.
Johnson shared that he is hopeful to have Gordon back at practice this week at Monday's press conference.
"That's the hope," Johnson said.
Getting a healthy Gordon back for the playoffs would be a massive win for Chicago. At one point, it was feared that Gordon might not be back this season.
The importance of his return couldn't be emphasized enough, as C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a concussion in Week 18, and it's uncertain if he will recover in time for Saturday. Garder-Johnson has been the nickel corner with Gordon out due to injury this season.
The Lions just exposed the Bears' secondary on Sunday. Jared Goff finished with 331 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. Amon-Ra St. Brown led Detroit with 139 receiving yards, followed by Jameson Williams (74) and Kalif Raymond (53).
Chicago opted to play a lot of man coverage throughout the game and paid for it time and time again.
Even with their Pro Bowl corner in Johnson, the Bears were still tormented by the Packers in both meetings so far this season. In Week 14, it was Christian Watson, who scored not once, but twice, finishing with 89 receiving yards.
Then just two weeks later, Romeo Doubs had 84 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Hopefully, there will be more positive updates about Gordon as the week progresses. For now, the Bears look ahead to Saturday's game.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT on Prime Video and Fox 32 for local viewers.