As the Chicago Bears prepare to take on the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round, they got some good news on two injured stars.
On Tuesday, the Bears officially opened the 21-day practice windows for offensive tackle Braxton Jones and cornerback Kyler Gordon, designating both to return from injured reserve.
The move means that either player could be activated ahead of Saturday’s game, though the team will have both practice during the week to see if they will be healthy enough for a return to action.
Gordon has only appeared in three games so far this season, and was placed on injured reserve for a groin injury earlier this year. He has seven tackles and a sack to his credit this season.
His return could be consequential for the Bears as they have cornerback CJ Gardner-Johnson working through the NFL’s concussion protocol, leaving his status up in the air for Saturday.
Jones suffered a knee injury against the New Orleans Saints in Week 7, leaving the Bears to reconfigure their offensive line in his absence.
If he ends up returning for Saturday, it would likely be in a limited or reserve role, which would still boos the team’s depth as they try to win a playoff game for the first time since the 2011 postseason.
The Bears’ full injury report will be published on Tuesday, with updates expected on Gardner-Johnson and wide receiver Rome Odunze, who has been out of action with a foot injury but returned to the practice field on Friday in limited fashion.
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