Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson couldn’t contain a big smile Friday when asked how much he would like the chance to play against Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“I can’t say anything I haven’t been saying for two years now — I look forward to those matchups,” Johnson said. “That’s what I wake up and want to play this game for, those big-time matchups, and just really being able to prove who I am, to the world, to myself, to my team, just really being able to limit those guys. It’s no different if it’s Justin or if it’s any other top receiver in the NFL.”
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It’s still up in the air whether Johnson will get that chance.
Johnson returned to practice Friday for the first time since suffering a quad injury that kept him out the last two games. He did individual work and said he took a few team reps, feeling out his lateral movement and his reactions. He felt like he was moving well and called it a “big step in the right direction.”
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But the Bears, who have two games in five days with their Thursday night matchup against the Washington Commanders looming, listed him as doubtful to play against the Vikings.
Running back David Montgomery, who is recovering from an ankle injury, is questionable after practicing in a limited capacity Friday for the second straight day. Safety Dane Cruikshank is doubtful with a hamstring injury. But defensive tackle Justin Jones (hip), linebacker Matt Adams (hamstring) and tight end Ryan Griffin (Achilles) practiced in full and are expected to play.
Jefferson has 28 catches for 393 yards and two touchdowns this season, including games with 184 receiving yards against the Green Bay Packers and 147 receiving yards against the New Orleans Saints.
Containing Jefferson is a big test, especially for a young secondary that without Johnson has been playing rookies Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Jones along with third-year player Kindle Vildor.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Friday that he thought Vildor has played “solid,” tackling well and improving in his aggressiveness. Eberflus said Gordon, who is moving between outside cornerback and nickel during games, is learning.
“For a rookie, it’s small increments just getting better,” Eberflus said. “You’re learning, putting those experiences away and saying, ‘Hey, I learned from that. I can get better here at my angles, at my tackling, at my coverage, at my line of scrimmage, crack replace.’ … You have to put him in there in order to have those experiences. He has the talent, he has the want to, he has the desire, he’s tough and he has everything you need to succeed.”
Johnson is obviously itching to return. He posted on his Instagram account on Friday: “Gotta get back to the trenches. They said they need me.”
“Me coming back is needed, not even from just the secondary standpoint, just being back out there, back with the team, giving the team a different confidence boost and things like that,” Johnson said. “So I’m really just ready to be back out there playing.”
