The Chicago Bears opened the 21-day practice window for two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson on Friday.

Johnson has been sidelined since aggravating a groin injury during the Bears’ 52-21 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sept. 14. He underwent core muscle surgery to address the injury that limited him throughout the offseason.

“He wants to be out there with these guys,” Chicago head coach Ben Johnson said. “It has not gone, this year has not gone the way he really envisioned it. You come in and it happens during the summer, the initial (injury) and you miss training camp, and then you’re hopeful you’re back to where you were before. And you get hurt in the first game back.

“I think he really wants to be out there, and so he’s worked his tail off to get to this point. And it’s on us as coaches to put him in a good spot here, going forward, to get him ready to compete here in the rest of the year.”

Jaylon Johnson, 26, has recorded 216 tackles and seven interceptions — including one returned for a touchdown — in 71 career games (all starts) since being selected by the Bears in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media