As the Bears push for a playoff berth, the last thing they need is to lose a key starter like cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Fortunately for that endeavor, the shoulder injury Johnson suffered late in the third quarter Sunday against the Texans seems relatively manageable.
Bears coach Matt Nagy said Monday the medical staff was still evaluating Johnson, who left the game and did not return, and believed it was possible he could play in a crucial game Sunday at Minnesota.
“He’s a tough kid,” Nagy said. “We’ve got to just stay on him, make sure we keep him healthy here and hopefully have him ready for this coming week.”
Nagy did not specify which should Johnson hurt. He led with his right shoulder to hit Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson at the 1-yard line, but landed hard on his left shoulder as Watson fell on top of him.
Shoulder injuries are especially concerning with Johnson, who twice had surgery on his left shoulder in college and underwent an operation in March to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The Bears were confident enough in his condition to draft him No. 50 overall and have been rewarded with his fantastic rookie season.
He leads the Bears with 15 pass breakups and has 44 tackles. He has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete just 56% of their passes to the man he’s covering.
