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Bears’ defensive coordinator Dennis Allen kept it real when discussing his relationship with C.J. Gardner-Johnson
It hasn’t necessarily been pretty, but the Chicago Bears have continually found a way to piece things together this season, which has led to them posting a 6-3 record through nine games. A significant reason for their success has been the defense’s ability to compensate for an oftentimes inconsistent offense, with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen leading the unit into battle this season.
After a failed stint as the New Orleans Saints‘ head coach, Allen returned to his roots on the defensive side of the ball, where he has helped the Bears take a big step forward this season. Part of his success has involved getting the most out of his players, with one guy in particular who fits that bill being veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Ahead of the team’s Week 11 action, Allen pulled back the curtain on his relationship with the controversial defensive back.
Gardner-Johnson initially broke into the league as a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft with the Saints. At the time, Allen was New Orleans’ defensive coordinator, so he played a big role in turning him into a starting-caliber player. Gardner-Johnson started 31 of the 43 games he played in for his first three seasons with the Saints before he ended up getting traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Things haven’t exactly gone according to plan for Gardner-Johnson this season. After signing with the Houston Texans in free agency, Gardner-Johnson was released by the team after suiting up for just three games. He briefly latched on with the Baltimore Ravens‘ practice squad before he eventually found his way to the Bears, reuniting with Allen in the process.
In two games with Chicago, Gardner-Johnson has quickly emerged as a key piece of the team’s secondary. Playing within Allen’s system again seems to have helped the Gardner-Johnson out quite a bit, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him continue earning more and more snaps as the season progresses. When discussing his relationship with Gardner-Johnson, Allen revealed that there’s a level of trust between the two of them that has helped him find his fit with the Bears.
“I was in New Orleans when we drafted him,” Allen said on Thursday. “We were the first group that got an opportunity to coach him. He had success with us in this system, and I think there’s a trust level on both sides. I know exactly what we’re getting in the player, and I think it’s positive, and I think he understands how we’re going to operate and how we do things.”
GettyDennis Allen surveys the field during the first day of Chicago Bears training camp
Chicago’s secondary is a bit beat up, as Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Terrell Smith are all on injured reserve. That has resulted in Gardner-Johnson shifting back to the cornerback position that he initially played early in his career with Allen. As the team’s top nickelback, Gardner-Johnson has looked impressive after struggling early in the year.
The Bears have suddenly found themselves in a tightly contested playoff race atop the NFC North with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, so every game is going to be very important moving forward. Chicago has a difficult divisional clash against the Minnesota Vikings on its hands in Week 11, with kickoff for this game scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
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J.K. Dobbins has been a meaningful part of Denver’s early season rise to the top of the AFC.
The Denver Broncos received tough news Friday afternoon.
As NBC Sports noted, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that running back J.K. Dobbins will amiss Sunday’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a significant foot injury.
Rapoport added that Dobbins is “believed to be out for the foreseeable future.”
His placement on injured reserve remains a real possibility as the team evaluates its options.
“Dobbins is still working through options, and while there is no final determination, IR remains a possibility,” Rapoport said.
The report came from himself and Tom Pelissero.
The development marks a quick escalation from earlier in the week, when Dobbins missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practices.
At that point, the team had not revealed the full severity of the injury.
Dobbins’ injury stems from a hip-drop tackle last Thursday against the Raiders, a play that left him frustrated enough to take to X and call for the move to be banned.
Dobbins ranks fifth in the NFL with 772 rushing yards and has been a huge part of Denver’s offense so far this season.
While Dobbins has officially been ruled out for Week 11, the next major decision comes quickly.
The Broncos must determine by Saturday afternoon whether to place him on injured reserve.
If he is moved to IR before Sunday, the Chiefs game will count toward a required four-game absence.
Placing Dobbins on IR would sideline him for matchups against the Chiefs, Commanders, Raiders, and Packers.
He would be eligible to return Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Head coach Sean Payton acknowledged that discussions are ongoing.
“Nothing has been decided yet, and at some point there will be more clarity with him and some of these other players,” Payton said earlier this week.
Denver’s Week 12 bye gives the team a small cushion, but if the injury is significant enough to keep him out multiple weeks, the IR designation becomes more likely.
“With JK Dobbins potentially headed to Injured Reserve, all eyes turn to RJ Harvey,” Rapoport said.
RJ Harvey has already flashed his dynamic potential in limited work.
Payton praised Harvey’s running style, durability, and readiness to step into a larger role:
“When we drafted him, it was his running skillset, and he had a lot of touches at Central Florida,” Payton said.
“You are starting to see him grow in front of our eyes, and he will have more opportunities in this game.”
Tyler Badie will likely mix in as a third down guy, while Jaleel McLaughlin could be active as well.
Sunday’s divisional matchup against the Chiefs carries major playoff implications for both teams and Harvey has a huge opportunity to step up and flourish in the RB1 role.