Well, if the upcoming Week 14 Green Bay Packers game wasn't going to be tough enough for the Chicago Bears, it just did.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein provided updates on the Packers' injuries and the expected return dates for players. One player who was discussed was wide receiver Jayden Reed, who has been out for most of the season after undergoing surgery on his foot and collarbone. Silverstein believes Reed will be back in time for the Bears game.
"The target for Reed’s return is either the Thanksgiving Day game at Detroit or the week after vs. Chicago. Reed’s foot injury is completely healed, and he has been able to take his training to a level where he should be ready to play once his broken collarbone is healed."
Bears must now prepare for Reed's return
Reed is a speedster that the Packers rely on to get down the field and create big plays. That's going to create a major problem for the Bears and their secondary.
This is a Bears cornerback room that is already decimated by injuries, with three corners on IR, including Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Terell Smith . Chicago was forced to start Nahshon Wright on the outside and signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson to move from safety to slot corner.
The Bears could still look for other options to help the secondary, as they are bringing in free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. for a workout and hope to get him signed. Otherwise, it's Tyrique Stevenson as the CB1, but he has been very inconsistent at that spot this year.
That Week 14 Packers game will be a massive one, as it appears the Bears will be in the playoff hunt this year. Chicago might even have a shot at winning the NFC North, but will have to steal on from Green Bay if they have any hopes of doing that.
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There's still a month to go until that game, but the Bears need to be somewhat at full strength or have the cornerback position figured out by then to be ready to match up against Reed.