Trouble brewing for Bears secondary ahead of Wild Card game vs Packers

The Chicago Bears are preparing for their first playoff appearance since 2019, but that long-awaited return to postseason football may come without one of their most important defensive contributors.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson enters concussion protocol

Nickel cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson entered the NFL’s concussion protocol following Chicago’s 19–16 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 18, head coach Ben Johnson confirmed Monday. With the Bears set to host the Green Bay Packers on a short week in the Wild Card round, Gardner-Johnson’s availability is very much in doubt.

The Bears and Packers will meet at Soldier Field on Saturday, January 10 in a rare postseason chapter of the league’s oldest rivalry, a game that figures to hinge on defensive execution and communication in the secondary.

Gardner-Johnson exited Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter after taking a hit and was immediately ruled out. According to Chicago Tribune reporter Brad Biggs, the scene was concerning.

“He wasn’t moving in a straight line toward the Bears sideline,” Biggs wrote on January 5.

Entering the league’s concussion protocol this late in the week makes it difficult, albeit not impossible, for a player to be cleared in time for a playoff game, especially one played just six days later. As of now, Gardner-Johnson’s status remains uncertain, but history suggests his availability is unlikely.

Gardner-Johnson has been a difference-maker since joining the Bears midseason and stepping into the nickel role in Dennis Allen’s defense. In just 10 games with Chicago, he recorded:

• 51 tackles
• 3.0 sacks
• 4 passes defended
• 2 interceptions (one against Packers QB Jordan Love)

Beyond the stat sheet, Gardner-Johnson has been a key communicator in the secondary and an integral part of Allen’s pressure packages and coverage adjustments, especially against quarterbacks who thrive off structure and timing.

The matchup is particularly notable given that one of Gardner-Johnson’s interceptions this season came against Green Bay.

Allen knows Gardner-Johnson as well as any coordinator in the league. The two spent several seasons together in New Orleans, where Allen coached Gardner-Johnson early in his career and learned how best to deploy his versatility and aggression. That relationship helped Gardner-Johnson make a seamless transition into Chicago’s defense, and his absence would leave both a schematic and emotional void.

Kyler Gordon’s potential return

There is at least some potential good news for Chicago. Brad Biggs reported that the Bears are hopeful cornerback Kyler Gordon can return from injured reserve for the second time this season. Gordon has been sidelined for the past month with a groin injury and has appeared in just three games all year, but head coach Ben Johnson said Monday that the team hopes Gordon can return to practice this week.

If Gardner-Johnson is unable to go, Gordon’s return would be massive. Chicago’s depth at nickel corner is thin. Behind Gardner-Johnson and Gordon, options include Nick McCloud and Josh Blackwell.

Even if Gordon isn’t at full strength, his athleticism and familiarity with the defense could help stabilize the middle of the field against a Packers offense that thrives on quick reads and rhythm throws.

What to Watch This Week

• Gardner-Johnson’s progress through concussion protocol
• Whether Kyler Gordon returns to practice
• How the Bears adjust nickel and sub-package roles if needed

With a playoff atmosphere set to return to Soldier Field for the first time in years, Chicago’s margin for error is slim. Whether C.J. Gardner-Johnson can suit up may go a long way toward determining how far this Bears season continues. Kickoff this Saturday is set for 8 p.m. ET and you can follow along with our live text coverage of the game right here on AS USA.

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