Chicago Bears roster news: Cornerback Kyler Gordon placed on injured reserve and will miss at least 4 games
Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon signs autographs for fans before facing the Commanders on Oct. 13, 2025, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
By Brad Biggs | bmbiggs@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: October 25, 2025 at 12:32 PM CDT
The Chicago Bears knew Friday they would be without their top three cornerbacks for Sunday’s game at Baltimore.
Now, it was announced that they will be without nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon for at least the next four games. Gordon was placed on injured reserve Saturday afternoon.
The Bears defense will be challenged with Jaylon Johnson already on IR indefinitely as he recovers from surgery to repair a groin injury and Tyrique Stevenson somewhere between “week to week” and “day to day” in the estimation of coach Ben Johnson.
Gordon, who missed the first four games of the season with a calf injury suffered in the first week of August, reappeared on the injury report Thursday with calf and groin injuries listed.
Of course, the Ravens have many of their own injury woes as quarterback Lamar Jackson will not play as he continues recovering from a hamstring injury. Jackson practiced during the week and was questionable but the team is reportedly eyeing a Thursday game vs. Miami for his return.
Tyler Huntley will start in place of Jackson. A one-time Pro Bowl addition, Huntley led the Ravens to a 16-13 victory at Soldier Field in 2021, the last time the teams met.
For the Bears, Gordon isn’t the only player moving to injured reserve. Offensive tackle Braxton Jones is also sidelined with what’s believed to be a minor injury that will not require a long-term stay on IR. That makes rookie second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo the backup at both tackle positions for the foreseeable future.
The team used only one of the free roster spots by signing defensive tackle Jonathan Ford from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Ford has already been elevated a maximum of three times from the practice squad.
Defensive end Austin Booker and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga remain on injured reserve. The Bears have until Tuesday to activate Booker and with the open spot on the roster, that is expected to happen. If not, Booker will have to spend the entire season on IR. The team has another week to evaluate Ogbongbemiga.
The Bears will elevate tight end Stephen Carlson and cornerback Dallis Flowers from the practice squad to the game day roster. Carlson is needed with Cole Kmet (back) out and Flowers will help the situation in the secondary.
All of these moves mean that Cairo Santos will return to handle kicking duties after missing the previous two games with a right thigh injury. Jake Moody made eight of nine field goals in Santos’ absence over the last two weeks.
The Bears made Gordon the highest-paid nickel cornerback in the league during the offseason with a $40 million, three-year extension. He’s been plagued by soft-tissue injuries in his career, but it’s usually been a situation where he’s missed time during the offseason program or training camp.
After missing the first four games, Gordon made his debut at Washington in Week 6 and played a big role in the win over New Orleans last week as a versatile defender that coordinator Dennis Allen can do a lot with.
Now the Bears will have to scramble. It’s likely Nick McCloud will start on the outside along with Nahshon Wright. Veteran Josh Blackwell has experience playing in the slot and could be the next man up. |
