Bears coach Ben Johnson expects to have starting defensive end Montez Sweat and left tackle Braxton Jones within days. Nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon, meanwhile, is another story.
When asked how soon Sweat, who got hurt Aug. 6, would be back, Johnson was emphatic in saying, “Sooner, sooner, sooner, like within this week.” The Bears will practice at Halas Hall on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday before a joint practice with the Bengals in Cincinnati on Thursday.
Johnson said the timetable on Jones, who got hurt the same day but already has been practicing in a limited capacity is, “Same thing.”
Gordon is still on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list with a soft-tissue injury, and that’s an ongoing frustration for the Bears. He missed 14 games with three different injuries last season, then got hurt in the recent offseason as well.
Johnson gave a one-word update on him: “Unknown.”
Gordon has been around the team throughout training camp, but there’s never been any clear projection of when he’ll be back on the field. When pressed on that at the start of camp, general manager Ryan Poles didn’t even commit to an expectation of him being back for the Sept. 13 opener at the Panthers.
The Bears already are down safety Coby Bryant, possibly for the season, and have uncertainty at outside corner with Tyrique Stevenson’s inconsistent play. Cam Lewis originally was filling in for Gordon, but shifted to safety, then he got hurt. Newcomer Xavier Woods has been in that spot opposite rookie Dillion Thieneman lately.