Bears CB Jaylon Johnson Set to Miss Time With a Groin Injury

Things have yet to go right this season for the Chicago Bears, who find themselves at 0-2 through the first two weeks despite entering the year with heightened optimism and elevated expectations. With a new head coach, Ben Johnson, at the helm, many hoped the team would finally begin to turn the corner and lay the foundation for a playoff run. Unfortunately, that positive momentum has yet to materialize, and now the Bears face a fresh setback due to an injury to one of their most valuable players, cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

At just 26 years old, Johnson has been a key defensive asset, known for his agility and playmaking ability. However, during Sunday’s crushing 52-21 loss to the Detroit Lions, Johnson left the game early. He exited midway through the second quarter after making a diving pass breakup, during which he landed hard and immediately lay on his stomach while trainers rushed to his side. Though he was able to walk back to the sideline with assistance, it was clear the injury was significant.

The injury is particularly concerning considering Johnson’s recent health history. During offseason training, he suffered a groin injury, which he later revealed on The Pivot podcast was actually a torn adductor muscle detached from his pelvic bone—a serious setback that warranted caution. As a result, Johnson was placed on the non-football injury (NFI) list in late July and missed the entirety of training camp while recovering. Yet, according to Coach Ben Johnson, this latest injury appears to be unrelated to that previous issue. “It’s a new injury, it’s not related to what he had before,” he explained, adding that the team is still gathering information to fully understand the nature and severity of the damage.

Sources close to the team have informed ESPN that medical staff continue to evaluate the full extent of Jaylon Johnson’s current condition and are considering whether surgery will be necessary. The outcome of this evaluation will critically impact both Johnson’s availability and the Bears’ defensive plans moving forward. Johnson, who has been recognized as one of the league’s top cornerbacks, earned Pro Bowl honors in each of the last two seasons, underscoring his importance to Chicago’s defense. In the 2024 campaign, prior to his injury, he had already made significant contributions with two interceptions, eight passes defensed, and one forced fumble over 17 games. The loss of such a key player not only complicates the Bears’ effort to rebound from a slow start but also adds pressure on the team to adjust quickly if they hope to salvage their season.