The Chicago Bears have had brutal luck when it comes to cornerbacks this offseason. After CFL star Tre Roberson broke his foot training for the upcoming season, the Bears have lost another cornerback to injury.
Cornerback Artie Burns tore his ACL during Tuesday’s padded practices, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The injury comes just one day after Burns practiced with the first-team defense opposite two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller.
Tests today showed that Bears’ CB Artie Burns tore his ACL, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 18, 2020
Burns, who Chicago signed to a one-year prove-it deal this offseason, was looking for a fresh start with the Bears. Now, he’ll be sidelined until 2021.
The attention turns to rookie Jaylon Johnson and veteran Kevin Toliver, who are the next men up. Toliver will likely assume the starting role for now, given he was working with the second team during Monday’s practice.
But that doesn’t mean the second-round rookie out of Utah won’t get a crack at the starting job. Johnson, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, was expected to get a chance to make an impact as a rookie. And the Bears will be counting on him to win the starting job perhaps as early as Week 1.
