NEWSLETTER
Even though the Bears are coming off a three-point loss to the Dolphins, we’ve been riding a wave of optimism around these parts thanks to Justin Fields’ best efforts.
Unfortunately, today’s injury report update is something of a downer.
Chicago’s football team could be without two of its top three cornerbacks as Kindle Vildor (ankle) is out and Jaylon Johnson (oblique) is questionable to play against the Lions. Vildor has been in on 77 percent of the defense’s snaps and has admirably played the role of third corner this season. Pro Football Focus grades Vildor as the team’s second-best corner and 41st among the 114 who qualify for the leaderboard. In other words, Vildor has been respectable in his role. Being without him stings. But losing Vildor and Johnson would be a double whammy of problems.
As you might expect, Jaylon is the Bears’ top-ranked corner and 36th overall at the position by PFF’s grading standards. Johnson has already missed time earlier this season due to a quad injury suffered in a practice ahead of the team’s Week 3 win against the Texans. An already depleted defense can’t afford to lose its top cornerback — yes, even if the opponent is a Lions team that mustered just 15 points against the Packers last week. Heck, Johnson might be the Bears’ best defender after trading Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn. So … here’s hoping Johnson is healthy enough to suit up on Sunday. If he can’t, it figures to be a long day for the Bears defense.
Here’s the rest of the injury report:
The names on the injury report are adding up:
Here’s hoping for some good news ahead of Sunday’s noon kickoff. Keep your fingers crossed.
