Bears’ Secondary Takes Another Hit as Kyler Gordon Re-Aggravates Groin Injury
It’s been a season of highs and hard knocks for the Chicago Bears, and the injury bug just won’t let go. Cornerback Kyler Gordon, who’s already missed a significant chunk of the year with a lower leg injury, suffered a frustrating setback during pregame warmups ahead of the Bears’ 28-21 loss to the Packers. After feeling something in his groin, he was ruled out moments before kickoff - a last-minute blow to a defense that’s already been stretched thin.
Back in Chicago, head coach Ben Johnson addressed the situation with a tone that mixed concern with clear frustration. “He was warming up in pregame and felt it, felt his groin,” Johnson said.
“We didn’t feel like we were in a good spot to have him play and compete and put him in that spot. We’ll see how it goes from here on out.”
That decision marked Gordon’s 10th missed game of the season, a tough pill to swallow for a player who was expected to be a key piece in the Bears’ defensive puzzle. In the limited action he’s seen - just three games - Gordon has managed seven tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, and a fumble recovery. But flashes of production can only go so far when availability becomes the bigger issue.
Johnson didn’t hide his disappointment, acknowledging how difficult it’s been to evaluate and build chemistry with a player who’s spent more time in recovery than on the field. “It’s disappointing.
I wish I had a better feel for the individual,” Johnson said. “But with him being out as much as he has been, I haven’t really gotten to see him on the field and competing and get to know him like I’d like to at this point yet.”
That’s a telling quote from a head coach trying to establish a culture and identity - and needing his key guys on the field to do it. Johnson also pointed to a troubling pattern that’s all too familiar in the NFL: “The biggest predictor of a soft-tissue injury is having a previous one,” he said. “And he’s kind of in this rut right now that we’re not able to get out of.”
The Bears aren’t taking Gordon’s rehab lightly. Johnson made it clear the team is exploring every possible avenue - inside and outside the building - to get the 24-year-old cornerback back to full health. Still, with the season ticking down and Gordon’s injury history growing, the road ahead feels uncertain.
In the meantime, C.J. Gardner-Johnson has stepped in admirably in the slot.
While he’s had some ups and downs, particularly against quick-twitch receivers, he’s brought energy and playmaking to a defense in need of both. Gardner-Johnson has tallied three sacks and an interception this season - solid production from a guy who wasn’t expected to take on this much responsibility in the secondary.
But make no mistake - the Bears invested in Gordon for a reason. He recently signed a three-year contract extension that kicks in next season, and while it’s far too early to throw around the term “buyer’s remorse,” there’s no denying that this season hasn’t gone according to plan.
The Bears know what Gordon can be when healthy. The challenge now is getting him back to that level - and keeping him there.
For now, the Bears and their fans will be watching closely over the next week or two to see how Gordon responds. The team is still in the thick of a season that’s had its share of promise, but the uncertainty around a key piece of the secondary continues to cast a shadow.