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Chicago Bears Face Defensive Nightmare as Jaylon Johnson Will Be Sidelined Indefinitely
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Well, folks, if you thought the Chicago Bears’ defense looked about as effective as a chocolate teapot against Detroit, wait until you hear this latest news. Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson is officially out indefinitely with a groin injury that’s proving more stubborn than a mule in mud.

The Injury That Keeps on Giving

Johnson’s groin issue isn’t exactly breaking news – this thing has been hanging around longer than your uncle’s fishing stories at Thanksgiving dinner. The talented corner missed the entire preseason and training camp with this nagging injury, sat out the season opener against Minnesota, and when he finally made his 2025 debut against the Lions? Boom. Right back to square one after attempting to break up a pass in the second quarter.

The timing couldn’t be worse for a Chicago Bears squad that’s already looking shakier than a house of cards in a windstorm. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the team is still evaluating whether Johnson needs surgery – because apparently, this groin injury is more complicated than assembling IKEA furniture without the instructions.

Chicago Bears Defense Crumbles Without Their Star

Here’s where things get really ugly for Chicago Bears fans. Without Johnson anchoring the secondary, the defense allowed 52 points to Detroit – the most they’ve given up since 2014. That’s like watching your favorite pizza place burn down while you’re holding a coupon for free breadsticks.

Amon-Ra St. Brown torched the Bears for 115 yards and three touchdowns, while Jameson Williams added insult to injury with 108 yards on just two catches. The Lions’ offense moved the ball with the ease of a hot knife through butter, accumulating 511 total yards in what can only be described as a defensive disaster of epic proportions.

The Depth Chart Dilemma

With Johnson sidelined, the Chicago Bears are left leaning heavily on Tyrique Stevenson and Nahshon Wright as their starting outside corners. Now, I’m not saying these guys can’t play, but asking them to cover elite receivers without Johnson’s help is like asking someone to parallel park a school bus – technically possible, but probably not going to end well.

Stevenson, in particular, had a rough go of it against the Lions, looking more lost than a tourist in downtown Chicago without GPS. The Bears’ secondary depth was already thinner than deep-dish pizza crust, and now they’re facing some serious personnel challenges ahead.

What This Means Moving Forward

The Chicago Bears are staring down the barrel of a brutal stretch without their top corner. Week 3 brings a matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, followed by a date with the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4. Both teams have capable receivers who can exploit a weakened secondary faster than you can say “double coverage.”

Johnson’s indefinite status leaves more questions than answers. Will he need surgery? How long will he be out? Can the Bears’ defense find a way to stop a nosebleed without him? These are the burning questions keeping Chicago fans up at night.

The harsh reality is that the Chicago Bears’ playoff aspirations might be in serious jeopardy if this defense can’t find its footing. Johnson isn’t just another player – he’s the cornerstone of a secondary that’s now looking more porous than Swiss cheese.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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