Jaylon Johnson to Miss 12th Start of His Career

Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury, and Eddie Jackson is also out, meaning the secondary is down three starters.

The Bears will be without three starters in their secondary on Sunday when they go against the Denver Broncos and Russell Wilson.

Cornerback Jaylon Johnson is out for the game with a hamstring injury suffered in Sunday's Bears loss at Kansas City. He didn't practice this week.

Like Johnson, safety Eddie Jackson is also out. He didn't play last week and hasn't practiced since before suffering a foot injury Sept. 17 against Tamp Bay.

The Bears also have starting slot cornerback Kyler Gordon on injured reserve still with a hand injury. He'll be out at least through next Thursday's game in Washington.

They will be without Josh Blackwell, their slot cornerback backup behind Gordon so the starter there will likely be Greg Stroman Jr. Blackwell has a hamstring injury and has been ruled out. He tried to play last week but couldn't stay in the game with an injury he suffered the previous week.

The secondary will be starting rookie cornerbacks Terell Smith and Tyrique Stevenson on the outside with Stroman in the slot and second-year safeties Elijah Hicks and Jaquan Brisker. 

Coach Matt Eberflus was asked where this ranks in terms of young secondaries in his career as a coach.

"Probably one," he said. "Yeah it's probably No. 1 but again those guys are excited. They're ready. We played a lot of young guys last year, you know. And so I think those guys have talent. I think they're good players. I'm excited to see Smitty and Tyrique in there full time.

"It's going to be a good challenge for those guys. They've (Denver) got really good receivers, they've got really good speed at that poisition group. So it's going to be a good challenge."

This will be the 12th game missed by Johnson in his four-season career due to injury or illness. He is currently in a contract year.

Hicks will make his second start of the season and fourth of his career in place of Jackson.

Running back Travis Homer practiced Friday on a limited basis and is questionable for the game.

Guard Nate Davis will start this week after missing two games due to a death in his family.

Denver will be without edge rusher Frank Clark (hip), linebacker Josey Jewell (hip) and defensive tackle Mike Purcell (ribs). Safety Justin Simmons (hip) is questionable.

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