Bear Digest

Bears injury report: Jaylon Johnson and T.J. Edwards cleared to start

The Bears' health issues improved significantly Friday as cornerback Jaylon Johnson and linebacker T.J. Edwards will be able to play Sunday in Detroit.
Gene Chamberlain|
Jaylon Johnson will make his first start in Week 2 against the Lions.
Jaylon Johnson will make his first start in Week 2 against the Lions. | Photo Chicago Bears Video

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Chicago Bears

Barring a late, unforeseen downgrade, the Bears go into Ford Field Sunday with their best defensive player now available.

They hav another key starter back, as well.

Cornerback Jaylon Johnson went through a second straight complete practice on Friday and was removed from the injury report for Sunday against Detroit after he missed the opener with the groin injury that kept him out of all of training camp and preseason.

Linebacker T.J. Edwards also had a full practice after missing Monday's game with a hamstring injury and also was removed from the injury report.

Johnson gives them a Pro Bowl player back in the lineup.

"I’m very happy with him," Bears coach Ben Johnson said. "He comes out, he’s got a swagger to him. Confidence, he’s not afraid to talk a little bit. That’s what I feel immediately is just the presence out there.

"When you watch the (practice) tape yesterday, he’s very sticky. We like to eliminate the space in our coverages, and so I think he’s going to be a really good fit for us this week."

Starting linebacker T.J. Edwards is questionable for the game after getting in a full practice on Friday, the first since he had missed the opener with a hamstring injury. Edwards had practiced Thursday on a limited basis.

The only player ruled out is slot cornerback Kyler Gordon due to a hamstring injury. He hasn't practiced this week. Wide receiver Jahdae Walker is doubtful with an ankle injury after he missed Friday's practice.

Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett returned to practice on a limited basis Friday after missing practice Thursday with a knee issue and he is questionable.

No one else is on the injury report. Josh Blackwell, Gordon's replacement, is back this week from a groin injury. Also back is running back Roschon Johnson. He has been out five weeks with a foot injury.

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.