Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) leaves the field after an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images
Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon has missed most of the offseason program with a calf injury. Now, it appears that absence will carry over into the regular season.
With the preseason soon reaching its close, teams will begin trimming their roster down to 53 players. In Courtney Cronin of ESPN's roster predication, she sees a scenario in which Gordon remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
“Given the lack of a timeline for Kyler Gordon's return from PUP, it's possible the Bears move him to reserve/PUP during cuts, where he must remain for the first four games,” Cronin wrote. “Muhammad has been the Bears' nickel in Gordon's absence. Manning snags the final spot over Beanie Bishop Jr., who will serve a suspension for the first three games, and Terell Smith, who continues to struggle to stay healthy.”
If Gordon does remain on the PUP, he will miss at least the first four games of the season. But with how minimal his practice time has been, the cornerback may need a ramp up period as is. Chicago's first order of business is simply getting Gordon back on the gridiron. But the longer he is out, the PUP scenario becomes more plausible.
Gordon has been no stranger to injuries, appearing in just three games during the 2025 season. The 2026 was supposed to be an opportunity for the cornerback to prove he remains one of the better slot options in the league.
But with the injury bug biting again, those plans have sold. When the Bears finalize their roster, where Gordon stands will be another difficult decision Chicago must make.