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Chicago Bears' defense hoping to get a major boost in Week 1 against the Vikings, but the coaches will be careful with how they handle it

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kole Noble | Last updated Sep 2, 2025 4:40 PM ET

When the Chicago Bears reported back at training camp a few months ago, the team was noticeably missing a key player on the defensive side of the ball.

Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson was not with the rest of the team after suffering an injury while training during the summer break, and it was one that caused him to miss the entirety of camp along with all three preseason games.

Heading toward the start of the regular season, the coaching staff stayed firm to the Week 1 timeline for Johnson's return and for the first time since suffering the injury, Johnson met with the media on Tuesday and shared similar intentions for his availability on Monday night depending on how he feels throughout this week.

"I like to say I can go out there and play. But I mean, it's definitely hard to," Johnson explained. "I feel like if we had a game today, it wouldn't be a thing. But I think really this week will be important for me to get the pads back on, get practices under my belt, game speed, moving around, covering guys, communicating. I think that all will help me. But again, there's not too much you can replicate in the game."

Bears will be smart with Jaylon Johnson's injury

Having Johnson back in the fold for Week 1 would be a major boost for this defense and it would come at the ideal time with the unit set to face off against a superstar wide receiver in Justin Jefferson.

Minnesota will be without Jordan Addison on Monday night, putting even more of an emphasis into shutting down the Vikings' top play-maker.

Bears CB Jaylon Johnson (@NBAxJay1) on covering Justin Jefferson:

"For someone like him, you definitely have to be able to move with your feet and win with your feet... And also win at the catch point, because he's going to make some great catches." pic.twitter.com/wOdAdc19dH
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) July 11, 2024

Under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's new scheme, Johnson will be expected to shadow the opposing team's #1 threat if he's on the field, but the coaching staff plans to be smart with his workload in his potential first game back since suffering the groin injury.

"Whenever a guy misses that significant amount of time, you're very cautious in making sure that injury doesn't reoccur again," head coach Ben Johnson said on Tuesday. "I know that he's feeling significantly better than obviously he was from the start. We'll see what he looks like moving around and hopefully take it from there. I know he's excited to get back out with his teammates here soon."

The other piece to Johnson's quick turnaround will be how much of the defense does he have down after missing all of camp? Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen previously noted Johnson is a rare player who can step right back into the defense and play at a high level but we'll see if that can actually be the case.

While Johnson's been sidelined, the Bears have been pleased with the development of the cornerback room on the outside particularly with Nahshon Wright and Tyrique Stevenson, who are each yet to play a considerable amount of snaps regardless of Johnson's availability.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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