The Bears have placed cornerback Kyler Gordon and offensive tackle Braxton Jones on injured reserve, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Both players will miss at least four games.
This represents another major setback for Gordon, a slot standout who missed the first four games of the season with a hamstring injury. Gordon returned to play the Bears’ past two games, a pair of victories in which he logged 81 defensive snaps and six tackles. He’s now dealing with calf and groin issues that will keep him out of the Bears’ lineup until at least Nov. 23.
Gordon’s injury troubles aren’t what he or the Bears had in mind when they shook hands on a three-year, $40MM contract extension in April. Worsening matters for Chicago, the team also has another key corner, Jaylon Johnson, on IR with a groin injury. Johnson has played just one game this year. If he comes back, it won’t be until later in the campaign.
Along with Gordon and Johnson, the Bears will also go without corner Tyrique Stevenson (shoulder) in Week 8 against the Ravens. The good news for Chicago, which has won four in a row since an 0-2 start, is that it won’t face injured starting quarterback Lamar Jackson on Sunday. Tyler Huntley will start in Jackson’s place.
After making 40 straight starts in his first three years in the NFL, Jones opened 2025 as the Bears’ top option at left tackle. However, the team benched Jones in favor of Theo Benedet after Week 4, relegating him to an unfamiliar backup role.
While teams had been eyeing Jones as a potential trade chip leading up to the Nov. 4 deadline, his knee injury may put the kibosh on that. The pending free agent should not require a long-term IR stint, though, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports. Second-round rookie Ozzy Trapilo will serve as the Bears’ primary backup at tackle in Jones’ absence.
In addition to placing Gordon and Jones on IR, the Bears made a few other moves Saturday, per Scott Bair of Marquee Sports. The Bears signed defensive lineman Jonathan Ford from their practice squad to the 53-man roster, and they elevated tight end Stephen Carlson and defensive back Dallis Flowers.
Gordon, Stevenson, & Johnson all out but Poles has done a nice job adding depth this season.
The Bears have gone from 17th in opponents points per play last season to 29th this season, so I fail to see how that is an improvement.
The 7 TDs given up to DET artificially inflate that stat. It also is dependent upon the quality of opponent offenses, thus it’s too early to tell.
However, the league leading number of turnovers forced this year is a pretty good indicator of the defense’s improvement, especially given their three top individual players have barely played (Jaylon, Gordon & Edwards). DB coach is exceptional!
Oddly, Poles is leaving open the 53rd spot on the roster until gameday!?! Wonder if that is because a team could potentially claim Moody (or some other practice squader) and Poles is leaving open the spot to prevent a claim?
Or might it be a claim from another team’s PS or waiver claim processed Sunday morning? Both Velus Jones & Tyler Scott were cut yesterday!! Lol
Aha, Packers cut blocking TE Ben Sims today, bet they claim him.
Before the season DB was the Bears strongest position. Now they’re scrambling to find guys. Allen is going to earn his money this week no matter who plays QB for the Ravens. I found it funny that I read an article that listed every teams needs for the deadline and every team in the division’s biggest need was CB. I never expected that to be the Bears biggest need.