The Chicago Bears defense has had a miserable season in 2021, and the crazy thing is it’s not entirely their fault. It isn’t because of bad coaching or a lack of talent. One can easily blame it on health issues. They’ve lost Khalil Mack and Danny Trevathan to season-ending injuries. Akiem Hicks has battled groin and ankle problems. Roquan Smith is dealing with a hamstring. Yet the biggest villain in their story has to be COVID-19.
The organization has been absolutely overrun with positive cases this past week. Most of them concentrated on the defensive sign. Mario Edwards Jr. is on the list and so was Eddie Goldman for a brief time. Now things took a step in the worst-case scenario direction as the team revealed starting defensive backs Jaylon Johnson and Tashaun Gipson were placed on the list and will miss the Monday Night Football matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
Just brutal timing for what is a do-or-die game.
We have placed Jaylon Johnson and Tashaun Gipson on the reserve/COVID-19 list.https://t.co/JhyZf8aYLj
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 19, 2021
Secondary has been devastated for #Bears.
Currently on reserve/COVID-19 list:
CB Jaylon Johnson
FS Eddie Jackson
SS Tashaun Gipson
CB Artie Burns
CB Duke ShelleyTeam was hoping to bring Shelley back off IR this week to help with woes at nickel spot.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) December 19, 2021
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Keep in mind this Chicago Bears defense is about to go into primetime against the 7th-ranked passing offense in the NFL. One that features superstar receiver Justin Jefferson. This without two of their starting cornerbacks and their best pass rusher. Oh, and their defensive coordinator Sean Desai is on the COVID list as well. Mike Pettine will take over the headset for this game as a result. Just an incredible turn of events that has never really been seen before in the NFL.
It’s hard not to feel like this game could get ugly for the Bears. Minnesota has scored 26 or more points in their last six games. They’ve been rolling on that side of the ball and are mostly healthy save for the absence of Adam Thielen. Unless they can somehow make Kirk Cousins uncomfortable, it is hard to imagine them not putting up 30+ with relative ease. Especially when their hopes for a playoff appearance are much more alive than Chicago’s.
