The Chicago Bears will be looking to pick up their first win of the season this Sunday after failing to hang on to a two-score lead over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1.
While things certainly won't come easy for Chicago against the Detroit Lions, the Bears' defense is set to receive a boost as a key contributor on that side of the ball who was ruled out in Week 1 due to calf and groin issues has been given the all-clear to make his 2025 debut.
Per the injury report released on Friday by Chicago's public relations team, All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson was a full participant in practice the last two days and will be in uniform this weekend at Ford Field after missing Week 1.
Jaylon Johnson's Return Provides Bears Massive Boost Against Lions
With Kyler Gordon not receiving as welcome injury news this week, the return of Johnson couldn't come at a better time for the Bears. Heading into a matchup against a Lions team that will be motivated to not only pick up their first win of the season, but also hand their former offensive coordinator a loss, Chicago's defense will need as many of its stars in uniform and available to play as possible.
After seeing Jared Goff sacked four times in Detroit's season-opening loss to the Green Bay Packers, Lions players are already questioning the preparation the coaching staff planned for them throughout the preseason. Given that the Bears' three sacks against the Vikings all came from members of the front four, the lack of reps that Detroit's offensive linemen are already complaining about could come into play again.
The plan sounds a lot simpler than it will be in execution, which is typical when analyzing something from the outside looking in. If Johnson and the rest of Chicago's secondary can do their job when it comes to pass coverage, though, that could give the Bears' defensive front enough time to get after Goff and make things difficult on him, like Green Bay did in Week 1.
Falling to 0-2 on the season is never ideal and is clearly something that both sides are looking to avoid this Sunday. When you take into consideration that the loser of this game will also have a pair of division losses on their hands, it only raises the stakes for each side.