Things already looked bad for the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Jaylon Johnson has been out most of the season with groin and core problems. Now, Tyrique Stevenson looked on track to miss Sunday's game in Baltimore with a shoulder injury he suffered against New Orleans. Being down your top two cornerbacks is almost as bad as it gets. Well, apparently, we spoke too soon. Stevenson is indeed out for Sunday. The Bears' Friday injury report confirmed it. Unfortunately, he wasn't alone. An unexpected name will join him.
The nickel corner popped up on the report Thursday with groin and calf designations, but was limited in practice. That changed on Friday when he didn't participate at all. He is out for the game, meaning the Bears will be down all three of their starting cornerbacks. This will be the fifth game Gordon won't play this season, having missed the first month with a hamstring problem. To date, the former 2nd round pick has never played a full season in his NFL career, raising legitimate questions about his status on this team.
Serious discussions must be had by Chicago Bears about Gordon.
The Bears signed him to a hefty three-year contract extension worth $40 million. They believe he's one of the best nickel corners in the NFL. That is true...when he's on the field. The best ability is availability. Poles himself said that. There was already evidence that Gordon had problems staying healthy, dating back to his rookie season. Chicago chose to gamble that he could navigate through them. Instead, they seem to have hit overdrive after getting his payday. What's worse is that they've all been soft tissue injuries.
Hamstring.
Calf.
Groin.
Gordon either doesn't stretch at all or has muscles made of wet napkins. Either way, it consistently hurts the Chicago Bears' chances of winning every Sunday. It might be getting close to time for the team to consider finding insurance, either via the trade market this year or the draft in 2026.
