Week 14 Notebook: Bears’ Injury Setback, Cardinals’ Discipline Issues, and Stafford’s Future
Bears Cornerback Kyler Gordon Suffers Another Setback
For the Chicago Bears, Week 14 brought more than just a loss to the Packers-it added another frustrating chapter to Kyler Gordon’s injury-plagued season. The second-year cornerback suffered a groin injury during pregame warmups, forcing him to the sideline before he could even take a snap. This came just over a week after he was activated from injured reserve, raising more concerns about his availability and long-term durability.
Head coach Ben Johnson didn’t hide his frustration when addressing the situation.
“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.”
It’s a tough blow for a player the Bears were hoping could help stabilize a secondary that’s struggled with consistency. Gordon has barely seen the field this season, and Johnson admitted that’s made it difficult to get a true evaluation of the young corner.
“It’s disappointing,” Johnson said. “I wish I had a better feel for the individual. 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.”
Johnson also pointed to the all-too-familiar cycle of soft-tissue injuries. Once a player starts battling them, they can be hard to shake.
“The biggest predictor of a soft-tissue injury is having a previous one,” Johnson noted. “And he’s kind of in this rut right now that we’re not able to get out of. So we’re going to exhaust all of our resources in and outside of the building to make sure we’re addressing it and doing what we can to get him back and healthy again.”
For Gordon and the Bears, the focus now shifts to recovery-and hopefully, finally getting a stretch of uninterrupted playing time.
Cardinals WR Fined, Coaching Questions Swirl
In Arizona, wide receiver Andre Baccellia was hit with a $5,722 fine for unnecessary roughness away from the play. It’s a costly penalty, especially for a player fighting for consistent reps on a team deep in transition.
The Cardinals also brought in a trio of offensive linemen for workouts-Wyatt Bowles, Logan Bruss, and Tyler Cooper-according to the NFL transaction wire. That move signals Arizona is continuing to search for depth and answers up front, where injuries and inconsistent play have plagued them throughout the season.
Meanwhile, there’s growing chatter around the league about potential changes at the top. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, many around the NFL are wondering whether the Cardinals could be in the market for a new head coach after the season. While nothing is official, the speculation reflects the uncertainty surrounding the franchise’s direction as it heads into another offseason of evaluation and potential overhaul.
Stafford Open to Return-If Health Holds
Over in Los Angeles, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford isn’t ready to close the book on his career just yet-but he’s also not making any guarantees.
During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Stafford was asked directly whether this could be his final season. His answer? Not if he finishes healthy.
“You got to finish out a season and see where it takes you,” Stafford said. “I’m enjoying every moment that I have right now. If I end the year healthy, hypothetically and all those kind of things, sure, I would, you know, surely entertain coming back and playing some more.”
At 35, Stafford has already battled through a laundry list of injuries over his career, but when he’s upright, he’s still showing he can sling it with the best of them. The Rams’ offense has found rhythm again in recent weeks, and Stafford’s connection with young playmakers like Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams has been a big reason why.
Still, Stafford isn’t looking too far ahead.
“We’ll see how it goes,” he said. “But I’m just enjoying where my feet are right now. Having a blast playing ball with this group and we’ll figure out the future when we get there.”
For now, the Rams are in the playoff mix, and Stafford is focused on finishing strong. Whether that leads to another season or the end of the road, his decision will hinge on how his body holds up down the stretch.
Final Thoughts
Injuries, fines, and future decisions-Week 14 brought a little bit of everything for teams across the league. For the Bears, it’s about getting Kyler Gordon healthy and back on the field.
In Arizona, the penalties and personnel moves are overshadowed by looming questions about leadership. And in Los Angeles, Matthew Stafford continues to play with joy, knowing the future will sort itself out when the time comes.
As the season barrels toward its final weeks, these storylines will only grow louder.