The Chicago Bears are 7-3 and sitting atop the NFC North. In Week 12, they welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers to Chicago for a big matchup that would be a huge win for Chicago before a gauntlet to close the year.
However, the Bears will be without their top three linebackers this week. It's a tough time to be without three key defenders, but the practice reports for Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson were encouraging enough that both could make their return in Week 12.
But, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Bears will have to wait another week before Johnson and Gordon return. Neither is being activated for game day, as both will miss another week with a potential return in Week 13 on the table.
Bears get bad news on Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson for Week 12 vs. Steelers
"Bears defensive backs Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson - both questionable for Sunday vs. Pittsburgh - won't be activated this week, per sources," Fowler reports. "But the team is hopeful that both could come off IR for next week against Philly if all goes well."
This week was the most encouraging one for both Johnson and Gordon at practice, but this update from Fowler ends their chances of suiting up against the Steelers in Week 12.
For a matchup against the Steelers, the Bears will be down linebackers Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, and Noah Sewell. And now with Fowler's report, they'll be without cornerbacks Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson.
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Nashon Wright and Tyrique Stevenson are the top two cornerbacks against DK Metcalf and the Steelers. It's a tough spot for the Bears' defense, as they're down five starters in the back-seven.
But, if there's any consolation, the Steelers might be without Aaron Rodgers due to a fracture in his non-throwing hand. Mason Rudolph might get the start, which should make for a good matchup for the Bears despite their depleted defense.
Johnson and Gordon could wind up coming back for a Week 13 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, but for now, the return of the Bears' top-two cornerbacks will be put on hold for another week as both are set to miss Week 12 against the Steelers.
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