The Chicago Bears have several playmakers across their defense, but Kyler Gordon is arguably their most valuable defender. A versatile defensive back who shows up in pass coverage, run support, and blitz packages, Gordon is one of the NFL's premier nickel corners. However, multiple soft-tissue injuries have repeatedly gotten in the way, casting doubt on his durability.
This season, he was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list for Bears training camp with a nagging calf injury. Over the course of his career, he's also missed multiple games due to groin and hamstring issues, including being limited to just three games last season. The concern now is that the Bears are midway through the preseason and Gordon remains on the PUP list, with no return date in sight.
Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune argued Thursday that, with Week 1 just a few weeks away, there's a real chance Gordon could be left off the 53-man roster when the cutdown deadline arrives at the end of the month. "Considering we're in the middle of the second week of the preseason and Gordon remains on the PUP list, I'd say chances of him being on the 53 for Week 1 are fading by the day," Biggs wrote. "Remember, Gordon was tracking to return last summer from a soft-tissue injury suffered in the first week of August, and then he had a hamstring injury flare up before the Week 1 game against the Minnesota Vikings." More news: Chiefs Announce Plans for Patrick Mahomes, Justin Fields vs Buccaneers More news: Bears QB Ruled ‘Week to Week’ With Hamstring Injury The Bears signed Gordon to a three-year, $40 million extension in April 2025, making him the highest-paid slot corner in the league at $13.3 million per year.
He then went on to miss the majority of the regular season — which just so happened to be Chicago's best campaign in nearly a decade. That's not to say the injuries were his fault; even the best players can fall victim to soft-tissue issues. But Bears fans were hoping for a full return to action this season, and if he can't get back to practice over the next week or so, the team will face a difficult decision.
Head coach Ben Johnson must trim the roster to 53 players by Aug. 30. If Gordon remains on the PUP list by that point, the Bears will have to move him to the Reserve/PUP list, which would force him to sit out at least the first four games of the 2026 season. More news: Commanders Coach Gives Status Update on Jayden Daniels, Rachaad White vs Lions
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