The Chicago Bulls—sorry, Bears—kicked off mandatory minicamp this week, and what was supposed to be a straightforward tune-up has reportedly turned into a nerve-racking situation for the team’s defensive unit. Sources close to the organization say the injury picture is far from clear, and the stakes are suddenly feeling a lot higher than anyone anticipated.
According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, there was some good news on the field Tuesday: defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo and linebacker TJ Edwards were both spotted going through full team drills. That’s a major sigh of relief for a squad that has been holding its breath on both players. Odeyingbo, who saw his 2025-26 campaign cut short by a torn Achilles, is reportedly pushing hard to get back to game shape. Edwards, meanwhile, is trying to shake off the effects of a fractured fibula and ankle injury he suffered during that dramatic Wild Card win over Green Bay.
But here’s where things get dicey—and where insiders say the real concern lies. Cornerback Kyler Gordon was nowhere to be seen on Day 1, and his absence has reportedly raised eyebrows behind closed doors. “Gordon was not spotted, and his latest injury has robbed him of the majority of the offseason program,” Biggs reported. And the details? They’re reportedly scant. The Bears have not offered a clear timeline or even a specific diagnosis beyond describing it as a “lower-body” soft tissue issue.
One source close to the situation told us that Gordon’s lingering problems have some in the building wondering if he can ever get fully right. The former Washington Husky was limited to just three games last season due to recurring soft tissue issues, and now he’s reportedly missed almost the entire offseason program. “Nobody is panicking publicly,” the source said, “but privately, there’s a lot of uncertainty about when—or if—he’ll be at full strength this season.”
For a Bears defense that is being counted on to take a leap under new head coach Ben Johnson, this mixed bag of injury updates is hardly ideal. Odeyingbo and Edwards appear on track for Week 1, which is obviously crucial, but Gordon’s mysterious absence has fans and analysts buzzing with unease.
The minicamp grind continues until June 11, after which the team gets a short break before training camp kicks off in late July. But with Gordon’s status reportedly up in the air and the organization staying tight-lipped, one thing is clear: this defensive depth chart suddenly feels like a puzzle with a few missing pieces.
Leave a Comment