Beating the Minnesota Vikings just got a little harder for the Chicago Bears as they’ll be without an important member of their secondary in what’s essentially a playoff game for the Bears.
Rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson has been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Johnson, who didn’t practice all week, was originally ruled questionable with a shoulder injury sustained in last Sunday’s win against the Houston Texans.
Safety Deon Bush, who was questionable with a foot injury, was also downgraded to out. The Bears also activated cornerback Xavier Crawford to the active roster.
We have activated cornerback Xavier Crawford for #CHIvsMIN. Jaylon Johnson (shoulder) & Deon Bush (foot) have been downgraded from questionable to out.@Hyundai | #DaBears
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 19, 2020
Johnson has been an immediate impact player for the Bears as a rookie this season, where he’s started every game since Week 1. He’s been the best cornerback in the 2020 draft class, even though he was the seventh cornerback off the board.
Johnson’s loss is huge given Minnesota’s receiving tandem of Adam Thielen and rookie Justin Jefferson. In the last meeting, Jefferson went off for 135 receiving yards on eight receptions — and that was with Johnson in the line-up.
The Bears were already without cornerback Buster Skrine, who remains in concussion protocol for the second straight week. Get ready for a steady dose of Duke Shelley and fifth-round rookie Kindle Vildor on Sunday against the Vikings.
