It appears as though the Chicago Bears are going to get some help right in time for the postseason.
The Bears announced that they have opened the 21-day practice windows for offensive tackle Braxton Jones and cornerback Kyler Gordon. Jones had been the starting left tackle to begin the 2025 campaign, but was benched for Theo Benedet and placed on IR afterwards. Gordon has been on IR twice this season, with the last stint beginning after the Green Bay Packers game.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson had mentioned earlier in the week that he was hopeful that Gordon would be able to come back in time for the playoffs.
Bears get some much needed help with the Green Bay Packers coming to town
Chicago is dealing with a headache at nickel with C.J. Gardner-Johnson currently on concussion protocol. Jaylon Jones was in the slot position during the 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions after Gardner-Johnson was knocked out with the injury.
The current state of the Bears' cornerbacks is odd, with Tyrique Stevenson not playing a single snap in the loss to the Lions, which raised questions of its own. Gardner-Johnson's backup in the slot, Nick McCloud, was out for the Detroit game with his status unknown.
As for the offensive line, Jones is also coming back at a good time, as the left tackle position is still unknown. Rookie second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo had been great over the last couple of months at left tackle, but missed the Lions game with an injury, with Benedet having to make the start.
Depending on how bad Trapilo's knee/quad is going into the playoffs, Jones might be able to compete with Benedet to start there. At the least, Jones can get back to being the backup left tackle and give the Bears some much-needed depth on the offensive line.
There is a big game coming to Soldier Field, as the NFC Wild Card game will host the Green Bay Packers, who the Bears last met at the same stadium. That, of course, ended with a Caleb Wiliams to DJ Moore touchdown pass to seal the victory.
Read more: Bears fans heard what Ben Johnson said about defense (but might disagree with it)
Chicago can use everyone they can get, so Bears fans will have to monitor the statuses of Gordon and Jones throughout the week.