Chelsa and Michael look back on a dominating win by the Green Bay Packers over the Washington Commanders Thursday night, and discuss if the Packers have put themselves atop the NFC power rankings?
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson has a new groin injury, and the team hasn’t determined how much time the two-time Pro Bowl selection might miss. Johnson exited Sunday’s 52-21 loss to the Detroit Lions in the second quarter.
Johnson also missed all of training camp and the season opener with a groin injury, but coach Ben Johnson said Monday this is a different injury.
“We’re still gathering some information on that,” Ben Johnson said. “It’s a new injury; it’s not related to what he had before. So we’re still trying to gather a little bit more information before we know (his status) for sure.”
During his weekly radio spot on WSCR-AM 670 on Monday, Jaylon Johnson described the injury as being in the same region but a different side of the groin than his previous injury before training camp.
Jaylon Johnson indicated that surgery — possibly season-ending surgery — is one option the team is weighing.
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“When you put in so much time, put in so much effort, of course it hurts when you’re looking pretty much for your season to be ended, and it’s not ideal,” Johnson said. “I put in an extreme amount of work and preparation.”
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (1) is helped off the field after a second-quarter play against the Lions on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit.
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (1) is helped off the field after a second-quarter play against the Lions on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit. John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/TNS
Johnson said he didn’t feel like the team rushed him back from the initial groin injury, but he did say there was a sense of urgency.
“I felt comfortable playing,” he said. “I know if I didn’t feel comfortable, I wouldn’t have played, no matter what anybody was saying. But I definitely pushed myself good enough. I felt strong. I felt really good during practice.”
Johnson originally injured his groin in July while training on his own before camp. He later called it a “freak” injury on a routine movement, and he wound up missing all of camp.
At the time, the Bears indicated they were hoping for a Week 1 return.
“We’ve got a lot of faith that he’s going to put in the time to rehab and be his full self when he comes back,” general manager Ryan Poles said at the time.
Johnson worked his way back to practice ahead of Week 1, but he didn’t play in the season-opening loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Last week, with a matchup against the high-powered Lions offense looming, Johnson was a full participant in practice all week.
He started Sunday’s game and played 20 snaps before suffering the new groin injury. He was injured while making a diving attempt to break up a Jared Goff pass intended for wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The Bears also have been without starting nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon through the first two weeks because of a hamstring injury. Without two of their best defensive backs, the Bears allowed 511 total yards Sunday, including 334 through the air.
With Johnson out of the game, the Bears inserted backup Nahshon Wright — who returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown in Week 1 — into the lineup as an outside corner.
Replacing Johnson for an extended period, though, could be a challenge for coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense.
“What he showed yesterday in the limited reps that he did get was the ability to close on the football,” Ben Johnson said. “I know he had a pass breakup, which was a big play for us. That was going to be another explosive gain, but he was able to get his hands on the ball.
“I do see sticky coverage. I see recoverability. He certainly can anticipate and he knows what’s coming the majority of the time.”
Jaylon Johnson went to the Pro Bowl after the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Now in his sixth NFL season, the 2020 second-round draft pick has seven career interceptions and four forced fumbles. The Bears signed him to a four-year, $76 million contract extension in March 2024.
The Bears secondary could have its work cut out for it Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is fresh off a 361-yard effort in an overtime win against the New York Giants in Week 2.
Photos: Remembering Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus 2016
Dick Butkus 2016
Former NFL player Dick Butkus announces that the Chicago Bears selects Kansas State’s Cody Whitehair as the 56th pick in the second round of the 2016 NFL football draft, Friday, April 29, 2016, in Chicago. CHARLES REX ARBOGAST, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus holds his bust at enshrinement ceremonies at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, July 28, 1979. MADELINE DREXLER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Former Chicago Bears player Dick Butkus 2019
Former Chicago Bears player Dick Butkus 2019
Former Chicago Bears player Dick Butkus is interviewed on the field during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Bears and Philadelphia EaglesSunday, Jan. 6, 2019, in Chicago. NAM Y. HUH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Obit Gale Sayers Football
Obit Gale Sayers Football
In this June 19, 1970, file photo. Chicago Bears teammates of Brian Piccolo carry his coffin into Christ the King Church for funeral services in Chicago. From left, front to back, are Randy Jackson, Dick Butkus, and Gale Sayer. Ed O'Bradovich is at right. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bears Butkus 1970
Bears Butkus 1970
Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus poses for a photo in 1970. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Obit Butkus Football
Obit Butkus Football
Former Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus watches during the first half of an NFL football game between the Bears and the New York Giants in Chicago, Nov. 24, 2019. PAUL SANCYA, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Obit Butkus Football
Obit Butkus Football
Chicago Bears' Lee Roy Caffee (60), Dick Butkus (51) and Phil Clark (39) try to stop Green Bay Packers' John Hilton (86) after a pass reception during an NFL football game Nov. 15, 1970, in Green Bay, Wis. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Obit Butkus Football
Obit Butkus Football
Illinois' Dick Butkus, top, and Rich Callaghan, bottom, try to tackle Wisconsin quarterback Ron Vanderkelen (15) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Nov. 17, 1962, in Champaign. LARRY STODDARD, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Obit Butkus Football
Obit Butkus Football
Former Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus poses with fans during the team's NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 10, 2023, in Chicago. NAM Y. HUH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bears Commanders Football
Bears Commanders Football
Scoreboard displays the image of Hall of Fame Chicago Bears player Dick Butkus during a moment of silence before the start of the first half of an NFL football game between the Washington Commanders and the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, in Landover, Md. ALEX BRANDON, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus
NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, center, waits for the second round of the 2016 NFL football draft with former players, Friday, April 29, 2016, in Chicago. CHARLES REX ARBOGAST, ASSOCIATED PRESS
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