The Chicago Bears' defense is set to get a big boost, as All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson appears to be nearing his return from injury.
Field Yates of ESPN reported on X that Johnson, who has played only one game for the Bears this season, "logged a full practice" on Thursday. That certainly bodes well for his return to the lineup for Week 12's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This is great news for the Bears.
With the exception of Week 2's loss to the Detroit Lions, Johnson has been sidelined for the entire season with a groin injury. The good news is that, for the most part, Chicago has thrived in Johnson's absence. The Bears, who at 7-3 sit atop the NFC North, are one of the NFL's most surprising teams. That's the good news.
The bad news is that Chicago's defense hasn't had much to do with the team's success.
Despite their good record, the Bears enter Week 12 with a defense that ranks in the bottom 10 in total defense, passing defense and scoring defense.
Johnson is not only Chicago's best cornerback but is one of the best corners in the league. In 2023, Johnson earned Second-team All-Pro honors and was graded by Pro Football Focus as the season's top cornerback. While Johnson wasn't quite as prolific in 2024, he was still one of the NFL's top cornerbacks and earned a second straight trip to the Pro Bowl.
Anytime a player returns from a long-term injury, there's a natural concern about rust. That said, if Johnson's form is anything close to what it's been throughout his career, this figures to be a massive upgrade for the Bears in a much-needed area.