While there might be some concerns with how many running back the Chicago Bears will have for Week 1, fans did get some good news on a Pro Bowler who is almost ready for Week 1.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson shared an update with the media on Wednesday regarding cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who has been out for all of training camp due to injury. Ben Johnson stated that the plan is still for him to be ready for the opening weekend.
“That's been the target date, but we’ll see."
He followed up with discussing what Jaylon Johnson needs to do physically to get ready and how to get back into football shape.
"We’re doing as much as we can to make sure that conditioning is where it needs to be," Ben Johnson said via 670 The Score. "But at the same time, there really is no substitute for putting on pads and playing the game at full speed. Each guy’s different, particularly guys that have had success in this league for a number of years.
He does get a little benefit of the doubt because he’s played this game at a high level. At the same time I don’t think there’s any substitute for being able to be about there and go through the process. Training camp is a really good indication, not just for the team but for each player as you’re working through low volume, ramping on up over the course just to make sure you’re ready to take on a 17-game season. Of course, he’s missed that."
Coach Johnson is speaking with the media https://t.co/ncIOJHGBEA
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 26, 2025
Jaylon Johnson about to return at the right time for the Bears
The Bears need to get their top defender back after spending all of training camp dealing with multiple injuries and absences from the secondary, including Zah Frazier and Kyler Gordon. Frazier is at least back in the facility, but will not be playing to start the season as he is on the non-football injury list. Gordon did return to practice last week.
Jaylon Johnson is a crucial piece to the defense, having made the Pro Bowl in both 2023 and 2024. Johnson has racked up 214 tackles, 49 pass deflections, 11 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 70 games.
While fans haven't see him on the field, the importance of Johnson getting back on the field cannot be understated. He has been the heartbeat of the secondary for years and can be the last piece to the Dennis Allen puzzle he has been waiting to see since taking the defensive coordinator job.
Read more: Ben Johnson's RB injury updates for Bears will only raise more questions
All signs are pointing towards Johnson back in a Bears uniform in Week 1. Fans can only hope it actually comes true.