The Chicago Bears have had plenty of time to prepare for their rematch with Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. Ben Johnson and his coaching staff weren't there last season, but most Bears players haven't forgotten about last year's heartbreaking loss. It was a pivotal point for both teams, although for different reasons.
Fortunately for the Bears, they will get T.J. Edwards and Kyler Gordon back on the field for this game. And while injuries are never positive, the Bears' nickel cornerback might be thrilled to take a peep at the Commanders' latest injury report.
Deebo Samuel is Now Questionable For Monday Night
According to a report by NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Commanders star Deebo Samuel is now listed as questionable with a heel injury. The Commanders had already ruled out WRs Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown, leaving Jayden Daniels without most of their reliable pass-catching threats. The Commanders don't have a lot of depth in the WR department, and that might be just the type of matchup Gordon needed to get his legs back under him.
Gordon is fresh off signing a three-year $40 million contract extension this offseason, but a hamstring injury kept him on the shelf in training camp and the first four games of the season. With his return in mind, coach Ben Johnson gushed about his physicality and ability to impact the running game as well:
"There's only a handful of nickels in this league that you really have to account for, both as a coverage player but also as a guy who likes to be nosy in the run game and could be part of the solution for us here in shoring up our run game as well," Johnson told the media on Wednesday. "He's got those natural football instincts that are really hard to coach and hard to teach, and when you have enough players like that, that's where you really take off in a hurry."
The Bears have struggled to stop the run so far, allowing the second-most rushing yards per game (164.5) in the entire league. Adding a prime stopper like Gordon will help in that regard, as it adds another weapon on the defense who can focus on containing rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
He can also help put pressure on the quarterback, something that has been a major issue for a Bears defense that has logged just five sacks in four games. Last season, Gordon posted 75 total tackles, four tackles for a loss, one forced fumble, and 0.5 sacks.