Kyler Gordon’s season is over, at least as far as the regular slate is concerned. The Chicago Bears placed Gordon on injured reserve for the second time this season.
It is an unfortunate development on many fronts for Gordon and the Bears. They are more accustomed to playing without him than with this season, which only further underscores how disappointing the campaign has been for the former second-round pick.
However, the Bears can also use Gordon’s outlook as additional motivation the rest of the way.
Bears Make Unfortunate Decision on Kyler Gordon in New Update
Bears Lose Kyler Gordon to IR for Remainder of Regular Season
“The #Bears are placing CB Kyler Gordon (groin) on Injured Reserve, knocking him out four games with the hopes he returns for the playoffs, sources say,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on December 13.
“The second IR stint for Gordon.”
Gordon was the No. 39 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he has become one of the more impactful players on that side of the ball for the franchise.
However, injuries have been a constant bugaboo, albeit not to this extent. Gordon has yet to complete a full regular-season slate of games in three-plus seasons. Moreover, he has missed multiple games every season since entering the league.
Further complicating matters for the Bears, they signed Gordon to an extension this summer.
Gordon is signed through the 2028 season on a three-year, $40 million deal, with the Bears’ first realistic opportunity to cut their losses coming in 2027.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson spoke frankly about Gordon’s status being murky the rest of the way. He has also noted that the best indicator for future soft tissue injuries is past ones. Johnson added that Gordon is mired in a rut.
The versatile defensive back also missed time with a hamstring injury during the offseason.
Kyler Gordon Injury Created Opportunity for C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Rapoport also pointed out that the Bears “signed CJ Gardner-Johnson to fill the void and he’s been a revelation in the slot.”
In that sense, Gordon’s injury does the Bears a favor.
Gordon and fellow typical starter Jaylon Johnson’s respective returns have sparked questions about how Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen would utilize players who have filled in during their absences, like Gardner-Johnson and potential Pro Bowler Nahshon Wright.
Gardner-Johnson’s best position on the field is in the slot, even if he was exposed in coverage during the Bears’ Week 13 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 14.
Johnson remains in the lineup, which complicates how to deploy Wright and Tyrique Stevenson.
However, Johnson is still working his way into peak shape after an extended layoff. Meanwhile, Stevenson told reporters on Friday that he will be on a pitch count this weekend. He aggravated a recurring shoulder injury in Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Stevenson missed the Packers game. He is back in what should be an intriguing rotation on the perimeter for Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns.