It felt like things were going poorly for the Chicago Bears defense from the jump when Jaylon Johnson failed to appear at training camp. He later admitted he’d torn the abductor muscle off the pelvic bone, knocking him out for over a month. He eventually returned for week two against Detroit and promptly reinjured himself. Head coach Ben Johnson said it wasn’t the same injury, but it was still bad. Most believed Jaylon is done for the season, evidenced by the team placing him on Injured Reserve with no indication of a return in four weeks.
However, there might be a ray of hope. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Johnson plans to meet with a specialist. The plan is for him to have core muscle surgery. If things go as hoped, the cornerback might be able to return in the second half of the season. That could mean he returns sometime in November, perhaps for the home game against the New York Giants or the rematch with the Vikings in Minnesota. Either way, his presence would be most welcome on a clearly struggling defense.
Jaylon Johnson isn’t the only one the Bears need back.
They’ve also played without two other key defenders, Kyler Gordon and T.J. Edwards. Both are almost as instrumental to the unit’s success. Neither will suit up for Sunday’s game against the potent Dallas Cowboys. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is in a tough spot. The secondary, which was supposed to be the strength of his group, is decimated by injuries. Even worse, the pass rush doesn’t look any better than it did last season. Montez Sweat remains maddeningly ineffective while Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo haven’t provided much juice as incoming free agents. Getting Jaylon Johnson back might at least stabilize things. Nobody would blame him for choosing to call it a year, given how the Bears look. Kudos to Johnson for working to return anyway.
