Getty
Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Philadelphia Eagles won’t have much time to lick their wounds after their Week 12 collapse against the Dallas Cowboys, as the Chicago Bears are coming to town for a hugely-important showdown on Black Friday.
The Bears have been playing most of this season without their top two cornerbacks, Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, but they’ve still managed to eke out eight wins, and currently sit atop the NFC North heading into Week 13.
Now, with a huge conference matchup approaching, the Bears are hopeful both Johnson and/or Gordon could be ready to go in time for the Eagles game. Chicago could also be without its top two linebackers, with Tremaine Edmunds on injured reserve and T.J. Edwards still battling back from a fracture on his hand, although Edwards could return, as well.
“Cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon could be green-lighted in time to face the Eagles,” Bears insider Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune wrote on November 24, adding: “Edwards probably isn’t far off, so the Bears should look closer to whole soon.”
Getting Jaylon Johnson & Kyler Gordon Back Week 13 Would Be Huge Boost for Bears vs. Eagles
GettyChicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson could return Week 13 vs. the Eagles, as could CB Kyler Gordon.
Johnson, who has played just 20 snaps all season (his lone appearance was Week 2 against the Lions), had his 21-day practice window opened on November 14. The All-Pro corner has been practicing after core-muscle and groin issues that basically wiped out his year thus far.
Gordon, meanwhile, has progressed from limited to full participation after dealing with lower body injuries. He has played in two games this year, and his impact was felt immediately before he suffered a setback on October 19.
Chicago chose not to rush either player back Week 12 against Pittsburgh, and they won’t rush them back, period. But with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith waiting, their current DBs room led by Tyrique Stevenson and Nahshon Wright isn’t going to cut it.
That’s not to say Wright and Stevenson haven’t played well — Wright is tied with Bears safety (and former Eagles starter) Kevin Byard for the league lead with five INTs. But without Johnson in the lineup, the Bears don’t have a big-bodied or physical enough CB to cover Brown. Thus, if Johnson — or even Gordon — suits up against Philly, it’ll give the Bears a huge boost.
Week 13 Game Preview: A Look at the Numbers
Led by second-year QB Caleb Williams, the Bears are scoring 26.3 points per game, which is currently ranked eighth in the league. On the other side of the ball, they’re far from perfect — allowing 26.5 points per game — but that number comes with a big asterisk: they’ve been down multiple starting corners and linebackers and still lead the NFL with a massive turnover differential (+16).
Both the Eagles and the Bears sit at 8–3 and are still very much alive for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The Eagles have been nearly automatic at home under Nick Sirianni, winning 14 of their last 15 in Philadelphia dating back to last season. But don’t expect Chicago to roll over.
Six of the Bears’ eight wins have come by one score, and Williams has already racked up five fourth-quarter comebacks this season — the most in the NFL. The Eagles are still rightfully favored at home, and are looking to rebound after falling to the rival Cowboys in embarrassing fashion. But with the Bears on a four-game win streak — and set to get some of their top defensive weapons back soon — the Eagles are going to have to be on their A-game if they want to emerge with the dub.
More Heavy on Eagles
Loading more stories
