Chicago Bears catch a major break for their game against Minnesota Vikings

After earning their first win in nearly a full calendar year, there is a belief that the Chicago Bears could go on a run as their schedule has weakened over the course of the coming weeks.

Next on the schedule for the Bears is an NFC North contest against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Soldier Field.

The Bears may have some reinforcements available for the game as second-year cornerback Kyler Gordon was designated to return from IR on Monday and there is a belief that starting safety Eddie Jackson and starting cornerback Jaylon Johnson will be able to return from injury as well.

Meanwhile, the Vikings were dealt a major blow as star wide receiver Justin Jefferson suffered a hamstring injury in the team’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. On Tuesday, it was confirmed by the NFL Network that the Vikings will be placing Jefferson on injured reserve.

The Chicago Bears will no longer have to gameplan for Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson on Sunday as he has been placed on injured reserve.

Jefferson will now miss the next four games at a minimum and that means that he will not be active for the Vikings on Sunday when they face the Bears.

This is a major break for the Bears.

Jefferson has torched the Bears in the six games that he has played against the Vikings’ NFC North counterpart. Jefferson is averaging 97.5 yards per game against the Bears over the course of his career with 2 touchdowns.

For a Bears’ defensive secondary that has been heavily tested in recent weeks due to injuries, not having to be concerned with Jefferson is an ideal situation with the likes of Gordon, Johnson, and Jackson ramping up for a return.

For a Vikings team that is 1-4 on the season, the loss of Jefferson could push them closer to sell-off at the NFL Trade Deadline in three weeks. There has been speculation that the Vikings may shift their focus toward a rebuild in the event that they could not recover from their struggles to start the season. With that in mind, Sunday’s game could very well be the last game that Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins plays against the Bears while being a part of the NFC North.