It sure seems like signs are pointing toward Chicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon returning for Saturday’s playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. And if that is how the cookie crumbles, Gordon’s return would be welcomed with open arms.
Don’t get me wrong. I understand that holding out hope for an injured player to be a difference-maker in their first game back is a dangerous game. But with the Chicago defense in its current state, it’s all we’ve got. So if you happen to be someone who is crossing your fingers in hopes that cornerback Kyler Gordon can contribute this week, just know that you are not alone.
Heck, Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen seems hopeful that Gordon can lend a helping hand to a group that has allowed 800+ yards over the last two games. Allen explained what it would mean to have Gordon back in the lineup.
“It gives us another playmaker,” Allen said (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin). “Obviously it’s been unfortunate we haven’t had him much this season but he was a guy that, coming into the season we were really excited about and I feel like he can help us make some plays and help us win.”
Allen adds the Bears plan on having Kyler Gordon as part of Saturday’s game plan against the Packers. So while Gordon was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday’s Bears injury report, it sounds like there is an expectation that the 26-year-old cornerback will suit up and give it a go on game day. Huzzah!
Bears CB Kyler Gordon. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)I was struggling to put into words what it would mean for Kyler Gordon to rejoin the Bears lineup. And then I remembered what Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson said about what the talented cornerback brings to the table. This is something Johnson said earlier in the year about Gordon when the cornerback was making his way back from a different injury:
“Hopefully, it allows us to unlock a few things on defense. He’s one of the bigger playmakers. I’ve got a lot of experience being on the opposing sideline from him. (I have) a ton of respect of how he can impact a game.
I think there’s only a handful of nickels in this league that you really have to account for, both as a coverage player but also as a guy who likes to be nosy in the run game, and could be part of the solution for us here in shoring up our run game as well. He’s got those natural football instincts that are really hard to coach and hard to teach. And when you have enough players like that, that’s where you really take off in a hurry.”
Chicago’s coaching staff clearly holds Kyler Gordon in high regard. Ideally, Gordon can shake off the injury bug and justify the praise his coaches have lobbed at him by playing a whale of a game against the Packers.
Kyler Gordon could be a postseason difference-maker
The Chicago Bears defense has struggled covering in man and zone in recent weeks. However, their issues in man-to-man have been the most prevalent and eye-opening. Watching quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Jared Goff carve up Chicago’s secondary because that unit is unable to stick with speedsters is going to lead to me losing sleep this week knowing that Packers signal caller Jordan Love can do the same.
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Love threw well against the Bears defense in Green Bay, with his connections to Christian Watson on man-beating crossers being difference-makers. Those throws are so fresh in my memory, as is the thought I had at the time of how much I wish Chicago’s defense had a healthy Kyler Gordon. Because, if you’ll recall, Gordon suffered the groin injury that put him on injured reserve during warmups before the Week 14 Bears-Packers game. That contest revealed a flaw in Chicago’s defensive backfield. If the Bears can’t be better than they were in that game, it could be a long night at Soldier Field.
This is where I’d like to think that Kyler Gordon’s return could be helpful for Chicago’s defense. Last season, Gordon’s 76.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 12th among 117 qualifying cornerbacks. His coverage grade, which was also 76.0, checked in as the 11th best. But because Gordon isn’t just a coverage guy, I am envisioning the Bears deploying Gordon (76.3 run defense grade last year was 26th-best among corners) in situations he can flex his muscle stopping the run and finding time to put him in spots where his coverage skills are needed. This will be a delicate balance to strike, but I’m sure Bears DC Dennis Allen will be up to the Task.
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I can’t imagine the Bears getting a full snap share from cornerback Kyler Gordon on Saturday. Gordon hasn’t played since the team’s win on Black Friday 40 days ago. And the last time he tried taking the field was on Dec. 7, which is when he suffered the groin injury that put him on injured reserve. But getting anything from Gordon at this stage of the game is better than getting nothing. Plus, with fellow cornerbacks C.J. Gardner-Johnson (concussion) and Jaylon Jones (ankle) on the injury report, this is starting to feel like an all-hands on deck kind of game for Chicago’s defense.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson sacks Russell Wilson at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesHence then, the article about kyler gordon could be the x factor in saturday s playoff game vs packers was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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