The Chicago Bears received a timely boost to their defense ahead of Saturday’s NFC Wild Card showdown with the Green Bay Packers, as nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon is expected to be part of the game plan.
“Our plan is to have him be a part of it,” defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said. “Today will really be the first day we go out there and practice and get a chance to see him move around, but I’m excited about getting him back in the fold and seeing what he can do.”
Gordon, who was designated to return from injured reserve earlier this week, practiced in limited capacity on Wednesday. And while his status will continue to be evaluated throughout the week, the Bears are clearly optimistic about his availability.
It’s been a struggle
GettyBears DB Kyler Gordon
Chicago’s defense enters the postseason with a lot to be desired. Against Detroit in week 18, Jared Goff sliced up Chicago’s defense for 331 yards. The week before that, Chicago allowed 496 total yards and five touchdowns on five red zone trips against Brock Purdy and the Niners.
To make matters worse, Chicago’s secondary is dealing with multiple question marks entering the postseason. Veteran defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who had been filling Gordon’s nickel role after signing with the team midseason, is currently in the league’s concussion protocol following the Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Backup nickel Nick McCloud has also missed the past two games due to illness, leaving the Bears thin at the position. Point being the Bears need Kyler Gordon back… And badly!
When healthy, Gordon is one of (if not) the Chicago Bears most complete DB. He’s quick enough to mirror slot receivers, physical enough to defend the run, and versatile enough to blitz or disguise coverage.
“It gives us another playmaker,” Allen said of Gordon. “Obviously it’s been unfortunate we haven’t had him much this season, but he was a guy that, coming into the season, we were really excited about. I feel like he can help us make some plays and help us win.”
What his return would mean
GettyBears DB Kyler Gordon
Kyler Gordon has missed the past four games due to a groin injury and has been largely sidelined throughout the 2025 season by a series of soft tissue issues. The former second round pick appeared in just three regular season games, after missing much of training camp and the first month of the season with a hamstring injury.
He was later placed on IR in Week 8 following calf and groin injuries sustained in practice, and suffered a setback in Week 14 when he injured his groin during pregame warmups in Green Bay.
Now the Bears aren’t banking on Kyler Gordon to suddenly become a postseason hero. But they are betting that his presence can stabilize a defense that’s shown cracks at the worst possible time.
If he’s able to suit up Saturday night against Green Bay, the Chicago Bears may finally have the defensive piece it needs to keep the Packers from exploiting their most obvious weakness.
Bears Announce Kyler Gordon News Ahead of Packers Wild Card Matchup