The Chicago Bears know that few things determine the outcome of a football season more than health. Having your best guys on the field for most of the games is crucial. Throughout training camp, the team has largely avoided any significant setbacks. The only notable one was Cole Kmet leaving a practice earlier in the week. However, he returned for the next one without any issues. Unfortunately, their fortunes took a turn on Thursday. Two of their biggest names left early with undisclosed injuries. First was cornerback Kyler Gordon, followed by right tackle Darnell Wright. Both walked off under their own power.
Kyler Gordon headed to the locker room at the start of the last period of this ongoing Bears practice and has not returned. Something to monitor.
— Scott Bair (@ScottBairNFL) August 7, 2025
#Bears RT Darnell Wright just left practice early. Came up awkward in the final period.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 7, 2025
Panicking at this stage is inadvisable. One must remember the season is still a month away. That is plenty of time for both players to heal from their ailments. This presumes neither is season-ending, which is the hope. Still, the fact that it was Wright and Gordon is not ideal. Both are considered crucial to their respective units. Wright is their best tackle, and Gordon is their most versatile defensive back. Replacing them for any length of time is impossible. Details should be forthcoming within the next 24 hours.
The Chicago Bears’ decisions ahead seem straightforward.
Both Wright and Gordon will almost certainly not play in this weekend’s preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. Whether they participate in the joint practice on Friday is also in doubt. The truth is the Chicago Bears have zero reasons to rush either player back to the field. Their sole objective at this point is getting each of them to September for Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings. They’re veterans. They know what their jobs entail. Health is the #1 priority. In their absence, other guys will get extra opportunities. Theo Benedet has manned the right tackle spot with the second and third-team offenses. In years past, Josh Blackwell has usually served as the #2 nickel corner. Zah Frazier and others will likely get reps as well.