The Chicago Bears could finally get a critical part of their team, and specifically their defense, back on the field for Week 4. They are on the road for a game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Cornerback and star nickel defender Kyler Gordon practiced for the Bears for the first time since Week 1.
If the Bears are indeed going to get Gordon back, it could unlock a significant aspect of their defense that they have yet to display fully.
He was officially listed as questionable on their final injury report of the week.
Bears Deliver Encouraging Update on Kyler Gordon for Raiders Game
Kyler Gordon Would Provide Significant Boost for Bears’ Defense
Gordon’s role as the Bears’ nickelback has entailed, as he put it, operating as a “mini QB,” setting up the defense. It also had him blitzing. That has been a strong suit in his game since his arrival as a second-round pick in 2022.
However, with the change to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen this season, Gordon’s role is slightly tweaked.
He still expects to remain versatile, though.
Gordon recorded a career-high 75 total tackles and 0.5 sacks, appearing in 15 regular-season games in 2024. He started 13 of those contests. It was also Gordon’s first season without an interception, despite it being a goal of his and the coaching staff’s during the campaign.
Gordon inked a four-year, $40 million contract extension this past offseason, but his hamstring issue has kept him sidelined virtually ever since.
Injuries have been an underlying theme of Gordon’s career. The Bears need him healthy.
Bears Rule Out Starting Trio
As encouraging as Gordon’s potential return would be for the Bears, they are going to be without other marquee names against the Raiders in Week 4. Darnell Wright and Grady Jarrett join T.J. Edwards as the three players the Bears ruled out before Sunday.
Wright injured his elbow in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys. Second-year former undrafted free agent Theo Benedet could start in Week 4.
Jarrett has battled a knee injury for the past two weeks, but was able to play in Week 2.
Edwards suffered his hamstring injury just before the regular-season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. He returned against the Detroit Lions in Week 2, but he was forced from the game after aggravating the injury.
Colston Loveland Takes Positive Step
Joining Gordon on the encouraging side of the ledger for the Bears, rookie first-round pick and tight end Colston Loveland was also listed as questionable. Both players logged their first practice of the week on Friday.
While Gordon’s issue is muscle-related, Loveland is dealing with a hip injury.
That could go a long way toward the Bears deciding how much or whether or not either of them plays against the Raiders.
For the second straight week, running back D’Andre Swift only logged limited sessions. He was able to play in Week 3. It will be interesting to see how much of a workload he – or any of the Bears returning from and playing through injury, really – are given.
Edwards and Jaylon Johnson were injured after long layoffs in the same game.
The Bears believe they are closer to getting healthy than not, judging by head coach Ben Johnson’s comments on Friday. There is only so much control they have over that, though.