The Chicago Bears have been on the wrong end of most of their injury news to this point in the offseason, but that changed moderately with a couple of optimistic updates over the weekend.
Chicago is facing serious injury concerns in the secondary, while the offensive line is another area where health issues have left depth at a premium. However, one player from each unit is on track to return sooner than later, according to a report from Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
“#Bears G/C Luke Newman (foot) and CB Jaylon Jones (ankle) both got very early work in on the field at Paycor Stadium with athletic trainers,” Biggs posted to X. “Signs that they’re moving toward a return to availability.”
Injury-Riddled Bears May Need Both Jaylon Jones, Luke Newman to Play Significant Snaps This Season
GettyChicago Bears offensive lineman Luke Newman.
Neither Newman or Jones has been a regular starter for the Bears, though both saw action for the team in Ben Johnson’s first season as head coach last year and each occupies a prominent reserve position on the depth chart.
Jones is a second-string cornerback capable of filling in on the outside if either Tyrique Stevenson, who has been hurt for part of this offseason already, or Jaylon Johnson, who lost much of last year with a groin injury, miss time.
Jones also saw some work during training camp at the nickel cornerback spot, as starter Kyler Gordon has been out all offseason with an unspecified soft-tissue injury.
Newman is a second-string offensive guard who could also function as the third-string center if Garrett Bradbury and/or Logan Jones struggle or suffer injuries of their own.
Entering his fifth NFL season in 2026, Jones joined the Bears in 2022 as an undrafted free agent. He has played 727 defensive snaps and 848 snaps on special teams across 56 appearances, which include six starts.
Newman, a sixth-round draft pick in 2025, played in nine games as a rookie. He saw 47 snaps on special teams and 25 snaps with the offense.
Bears Battling Major Injuries to Safety Coby Bryant, Left Tackle Ozzy Trapilo
GettySafety Coby Bryant of the Chicago Bears.
Injuries hit Chicago’s secondary hard during the offseason, with the aforementioned issue involving Gordon, which stretches back to 14 games missed for the CB in 2025, as well as knee surgery for safety Coby Bryant who could miss up to six months.
The offensive line is also a question mark after Johnson’s ability to turn it around in one year was among the biggest factors in the Bears’ 11-6 campaign last season that ended with a playoff victory.
Left tackle Ozzy Trapilo ruptured his patellar tendon in that postseason win over the Green Bay Packers and was expected to miss much of the upcoming campaign. He got back to light work this month, well ahead of schedule. However, the Bears have not made it clear yet when he might return to full action.
Center Drew Dalman, a Pro Bowler in 2025, also unexpectedly retired during the offseason. In response, the Bears traded a Day 3 pick for Bradbury and drafted Jones out of Iowa in the second round.
Bears Get Optimistic Injury Updates on Players at 2 Key Positions