When it rains it really pours.
Star Chicago Bears Cornerback Jaylon Johnson exited Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions in the second quarter with an injury. This followed Johnson missing all of this year’s training camp, as well as the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
Johnson dove to break-up a pass during the second quarter that was intended for Amon-Ra St. Brown. Johnson stayed on the turf afterward and was worked over by Bears’ trainers before walking off the field, heading to the injury
tent, and ultimately exiting to the team’s locker room.
During his Monday session with the media, Head Coach Ben Johnson said, “We’re still gathering some information on that (injury). It’s a new injury; it’s not related to what he had before. So we’re still trying to gather a little bit more information before we know (his status) for sure.”
Johnson went on to add, “I think what he showed yesterday in the limited reps that he did get was the ability to close on the football. I knew that he had the pass breakup, which was a big play for us that was going to be another explosive gain. So he was able to get his hand on the ball. But I do see sticky coverage, I see recoverability. He certainly can anticipate and he knows what’s coming the majority of the time.
“He does a great job with the film study. He’s a good player and he’s a Pro Bowl player for a reason.”
Earlier on Monday, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Johnson has another groin injury and is likely to miss the remainder of the 2025 NFL season.
Johnson suffered an initial groin injury in July while training prior to training camp. He recently stated that he tore an adductor off a pelvic bone in what he described as a “freak injury” during a routine movement.
“I was doing some releases with some receivers, and honestly, I would say (it was) a freak accident,” Johnson told the media last week. “As far as the injury, (it’s the) same movement I’ve made plenty of times, and had a pretty bad, bad injury in my groin.”
Johnson was a second team All-Pro in 2023, and he is a two-time Pro Bowler (2023 and 2024). His absence was immediately apparent on Sunday as the Lions absolutely obliterated the Bears’ secondary.
With CB Kyler Gordon also out injured (week to week, per Ben Johnson), the Bears will likely rely upon Nahshon Wright and Tyrique Stevenson as starters for now. Terrell Smith was injured and lost for the season during the preseason, and 2025 fifth round draft pick Zah Frazier was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list for “personal reasons.”
