If there is any time to start having a breakout performance for a player, the last four weeks of the regular season would be the perfect time to do that.
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen spoke with the media, where he was asked about the progress of Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who is slowly working his way back to being a full-time starter after his groin injury that caused him to miss most of the season. Allen seemed pleased with his progress and could be looking at big things for the cornerback soon enough.
"I think he is getting closer and closer each and every week. I think when you look at him and think about a guy who hadn't really play a lot of football basically in about a year, it's takes a little bit of time to catch up and get back to where you need to be. He's working extremely hard to do that. We'll get out here and practice today and see where we're at, but I'm pleased with the progress he's making."
Johnson could be up for a big performance for Chicago soon enough
The groin and core muscle injury for Johnson has been a pain this year, as it has kept him out of training camp and the first game of the season against the Minnesota Vikings. He would play against the Detroit Lions the next week, but that's when the core injury popped up, and after a procedure, he would miss the next two-plus months of action.
Johnson has been on a pitch count since returning in Week 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday. He has racked up just five tackles on the season.
Even as of this week, Johnson remains on the injury report with that groin injury. The good news is that he is at least fully participating in practice and still playing in the games.
It appears the starting lineup at the outside cornerback positions will remain Johnson and Nahshon Wright, but with Tyrique Stevenson back, that could change the rotation a bit. Johnson is still limited in the amount of snaps he plays, so that Stevenson could steal some of those snaps.
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Bears fans were hoping Johnson would find some of that magic from making the Pro Bowl over the last two years, but these types of injuries take time. It does appear as though he could be due for a breakout 2025 performance.