![\"Bears](\"https:\/\/news2.watchtowatch.top\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2231196399-e1762988374775.jpg\")
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Getty<\/p>\n
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Chicago Bears\u00a0are still not precisely sure when they will have Pro Bowl cornerback\u00a0Jaylon Johnson\u00a0back in their lineup, but there is new optimism about his return following the latest update from head coach Ben Johnson.<\/p>\n
Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback, has been on injured reserve since September 20 after he suffered a groin injury in Week 2\u2019s loss that forced him to undergo surgery.<\/p>\n
Since his injury, though, the Bears have left the door open for him to potentially return to the field during the 2025 season, especially if they remain in the NFC playoff hunt.<\/p>\n
Ben Johnson also said Wednesday\u00a0that his top cornerback is \u201chopeful\u201d that he will be ready to return to practice \u201csoon\u201d as they start preparing for Week 11\u2019s next game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should be able to get them back at some point end of the season here, but kind of too be determined on when those clocks will start clicking here,\u201d Johnson said when asked for updates on the return timelines for both Jaylon Johnson and\u00a0Kyler Gordon.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just saw Jaylon in the weight room. He\u2019s excited about where he is right now and is hopeful that he\u2019s gonna be able to be out on the practice field here soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Ben Johnson\u2019s indication that Jaylon Johnson could start practicing again soon is the biggest update on the 26-year-old cornerback in months, it was not the only sign in the past few days that one of the Bears defense\u2019s biggest stars is nearing his return.<\/p>\n
On November 11, one of Johnson\u2019s rehabilitation specialists shared a video of the Bears cornerback going through a workout to his Instagram account (@footdoctor_moe) and teased his forthcoming return with the caption: \u201cThey said Jaylon Johnson was out indefinitely, nahhhhhhh,\u201d accompanied by a lightning emoji and a saluting emoji.<\/p>\n
Bears CB Jaylon Johnson continues to push for a return this season. He was seen putting in some work with the caption:<\/p>\n
\u201cThey said Jaylon Johnson was out indefinitely, nahhhhh \u26a1\ufe0f\u201d<\/p>\n
Could he be making a return sooner than we think? <\/p>\n
: footdoctor_moe via IG Story<\/p>\n
Johnson has several more hurdles he must still clear before he is ready to return for the Bears. The team still hasn\u2019t designated him for return to practice, the first step toward activation that will give him 21 days to ramp up in practice. Then, once he is ready, they must clear a spot for him on the 53-man roster and activate him off injured reserve.<\/p>\n
Even still, any progress is good progress for one of the Bears\u2019 best and brightest.<\/p>\n
Ben Johnson also offered more reassurance about another one of the Bears\u2019 injured cornerbacks, Gordon, when speaking with reporters ahead of Wednesday\u2019s practice.<\/p>\n
Gordon, the Bears\u2019 top slot cornerback, landed on injured reserve on October 25 due to a soft-tissue injury that the team listed as a \u201cgroin\/calf\u201d on the injury report before his deactivation from the 53-man roster. At the time of his injury, though, Johnson said he believed Gordon\u2019s injury was of the \u201cshort-term variety\u201d and that he would return.<\/p>\n
That thinking, Johnson said this week, has not changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re still thinking that,\u201d Johnson confirmed Wednesday, \u201cso I can\u2019t tell you exactly when, but hopefully in the near future here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gordon must still spend at least one more week on injured reserve, but he will become eligible for activation ahead of Week 12\u2019s home game against the\u00a0Pittsburgh Steelers. If the Bears designate him for return next week, they will have 21 days to activate him \u2014 which could make Week 14 or Week 15 a more realistic return date for him.<\/p>\n
The Bears (6-3) will next face the\u00a0Minnesota Vikings (4-5) at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Getty<\/p>\n
Denver Broncos wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Denver Broncos\u00a0are bringing back a familiar face to their receiving corps.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As Sports Illustrated noted, according to ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter, the Broncos are signing wide receiver\u00a0Lil\u2019Jordan Humphrey\u00a0off the\u00a0New York Giants\u2019\u00a0practice squad.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Denver reportedly attempted to re-sign him during free agency last spring, but he opted to join New York.<\/p>\n
Now, a midseason roster opening gave both sides a chance to reunite.<\/p>\n
Head coach Sean Payton\u2019s connection to Humphrey runs deep.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 27-year-old receiver originally played under Payton with the\u00a0New Orleans Saints.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He later reunited with him in Denver during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.<\/p>\n
During his time with the Broncos, Humphrey became a quiet but valuable contributor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was known for his blocking, physical presence, and ability to fill multiple roles on offense and special teams<\/p>\n
\u201cLJ\u2019s the kind of player every coach loves. He\u2019s physical, tough, and does the little things that don\u2019t always show up on the stat sheet,\u201d Payton said last season<\/p>\n
Humphrey appeared in 34 career games prior to his stint with the\u00a0Giants.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He hauled in 44 receptions for 455 yards and four touchdowns.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So far this season in New York, he\u2019s managed just four receptions for 55 yards.<\/p>\n
His return to Denver could spark his play, as he\u2019s more comfortable in Sean Payton\u2019s system and familiar with the offense.<\/p>\n
The Broncos offense has struggled with consistency and depth at wide receiver so far this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Humphrey\u2019s return adds both familiarity and flexibility.<\/p>\n
He knows Payton\u2019s system, understands Denver\u2019s run-heavy schemes, and has shown he can contribute when called upon.<\/p>\n
In 2023, Humphrey appeared in 17 games for the Broncos.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He caught 13 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns while playing 40% of the team\u2019s special teams snaps.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His ability to line up in multiple spots, wide, slot, or even tight splits near the line, gives Denver added versatility.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bringing Humphrey back isn\u2019t a headline-grabbing move, however, it\u2019s a classic Sean Payton signing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He brings in a trusted veteran who knows the system, fills a specific role, and brings immediate value to both offense and special teams.<\/p>\n
And with\u00a0Marvin Mims dealing with an injury, Humphrey\u2019s addition brings some important depth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Getty Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson. The\u00a0Chicago Bears\u00a0are still not precisely sure when they will have Pro Bowl cornerback\u00a0Jaylon Johnson\u00a0back in their lineup, but there is new optimism about his return following the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4144,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4145","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hot-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t