The Chicago Bears have only had star corner Jaylon Johnson on the field for 20 snaps this season. After missing the majority of camp, and Week 1, with a groin injury, the corner returned in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions. Unfortunately, he re-aggravated the injury in the game, and has since been placed on injured reserve.
On Monday, the team announced a somewhat promising update. Head coach Ben Johnson confirmed that the cornerback will have core muscle surgery, and that the procedure should help him return to the field this season.
Coach Ben Johnson confirmed that Jaylon Johnson will have core muscle surgery and should be able to return this season. https://t.co/QgwMQiusvH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 22, 2025
Jaylon Johnson will undergo surgery but should return this season
While the Bears were taking care of business against the Dallas Cowboys, Johnson was planning a trip to Philadelphia to meet with Dr. William Meyers of The Vincera Institute. The result of this trip will be a surgery that should give Johnson the opportunity to play in the second half of the season.
The Bears need the procedure to go well and for the cornerback to have a speedy recovery because he’s one of the team’s best players. After being drafted by Chicago in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Johnson quickly established himself as a top corner in the league, making the Pro Bowl in 2023 and 2024. The Bears also rewarded him wth a four-year, $76 million contract in March of 2024.
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Now, Johnson will have to get healthy and reclaim his status as one of the game’s best defensive backs. The Bears, on the other hand, have to keep winning games, so Johnson can return to a team that actually has the chance to make noise late in the year. If Chicago stays competitive while Johnson is recovering, he’ll be the perfect late-season addition to help the Bears make a run.