LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears' secondary could soon look more like coaches anticipated when training camp began, thanks to the return of nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon.
The Bears on Wednesday started a 21-day practice window to determine if they would bring Gordon back from the physically unable to perform list, and he has been a full participant in practice since then.
“You know, obviously when we get to a point where he’s been able to get himself
into football shape, be able to stay healthy, I see him being back out on the field for us and helping us win a lot of games,” defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said Thursday.
The Bears signed Gordon to a three-year, $40 million contract extension in 2024. Last year, he was limited to three regular-season games and two playoff games because of a groin injury.
Gordon had been participating in offseason activities but suffered a calf injury and never fully recovered. He missed all of training camp while receiving personal medical and training help away from the team.
“I mean, I’ve got extreme confidence in what he can do when he’s out there on the field,” Allen said. “And so that’s never wavered. I think as we all know, the biggest thing for Kyler is for him to be healthy and be able to stay healthy. And so that’s kind of where the focus is.”
Gordon’s return was anticipated, even though earlier comments about him by coach Ben Johnson had been shrouded with uncertainty.
“I think it was probably sometime last week, maybe the week before they said he’d be back in the building this week and ready to start practicing,” Allen said. “I think really, right now where we’re at, he’s got to ramp up and get himself into football shape. We did a little extra work with him (Wednesday). I thought he looked good, I thought the way he went out there and practiced I thought was good to see. He moved around really well.
“I think the biggest thing is it just takes some time to get him into football shape. We will do that. We got 21 days to figure it out and make a decision and we will use whatever time we need to evaluate where he’s at. Hopefully he’ll be ready sooner rather than later. I think he’s a player that can help us.”
Gordon has five career interceptions and 17 pass breakups. Allen likes to use him blitzing out of the slot to augment the pass rush.
Getting Gordon back could at least postpone a decision about benching rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad or moving him to outside cornerback in place of veteran Tyrique Stevenson. Muhammad had been playing slot cornerback with Gordon out.
Quarterbacks Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum both practiced Thursday and the Bears are not saying who will start Sunday against the Jets, with starter Caleb Williams still sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Bagent suffered a concussion on Sept. 20 against the Vikings and couldn’t make his first start since 2023, while Keenum made his first since 2023 against the Eagles.
Bagent said he was torn at first about reporting the concussion symptoms, knowing it would cost him a rare chance to play. He consulted with his agent about it.
“I’ve never had a concussion before, so I was really unsure of the symptoms,” he said. “But after having conversations with him, obviously your brain is far more important than being able to play in a game, no matter how high stakes the game is. So, I think we made the right decision, and I think because of that I was able to clear myself a lot sooner than I would have been able to if I didn’t say anything.”
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