SHOCKING INJURY UPDATE ROCKS BEARS JUST AS BYE WEEK KICKS OFF

On October 13, 2024, in London, UK, Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus observed from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL International Series game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. (Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Through the first six weeks of the NFL season, the Chicago Bears’ defense has emerged as one of the league’s best, largely due to the strength and depth of their secondary. That depth was tested in London last week when backups Elijah Hicks and Jaylon Jones stepped in as starters. Hicks replaced Jaquan Brisker, while Jones filled in for Tyrique Stevenson, and both delivered solid performances.

The Bears faced another challenge when nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon left the game with a hamstring injury. Before his exit, Gordon had been making a significant impact, actively disrupting plays. Josh Blackwell took over and performed well, but losing Gordon for an extended period could be a major setback for the Bears’ defense.

According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, head coach Matt Eberflus shared an update on Monday, saying, “Gordon got imaging done this morning, but the severity is still unknown. We are hopeful. We’re fortunate that the bye week is here, so we have some extra time.” The bye week comes at a crucial time, giving Gordon a chance to recover. Without it, he would likely miss the next game.

The best outcome for the Bears would be if Gordon’s injury is just a pull or strain. If it’s more serious, he may miss multiple games, forcing Blackwell to continue stepping in, which, despite his strong performance, is not ideal for the Bears’ defensive plans.