Can the Bears Defense Overcome Recent Injuries in Their Week 12 Showdown Against the Steelers?
The Chicago Bears will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers tomorrow afternoon at Soldier Field. Heading into this matchup, Chicago is coming off a three-game winning streak during which the team has found ways to mount comebacks after being down in the fourth quarter. Despite injuries playing a factor in the Bears' season, like cornerback Jaylon Johnson, the team has overcome them and found ways to win, even in the last minute of the game. Unfortunately for the Bears, the road isn’t going to get any easier as they carry the second-hardest schedule remaining in the NFL. Heading into their matchup against the Steelers, it’s more bad news as they will be missing six of their starting defenders, while they will face off against quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who will make his return to Chicago.
The Bears will be without all three of their starting linebackers, Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, and Noah Sewell. The injuries are becoming a bit of a head scratcher to Bears fans, who didn’t expect Edmunds and Sewell to miss out against the Steelers. The news gets worse for Edmunds, as he was placed on injured reserve and will now miss at least the next four weeks. The cornerback room for Chicago is also still taking time to fully recover, as not only Johnson will miss another week, but also Kyler Gordon. The Bears have yet to have a week this NFL season where every member of their starting defense was healthy. Fortunately for the Windy City, not all hope has to be lost.
All signs are pointing to both Gordon and Johnson returning this Friday against the Philadelphia Eagles, as they’ll use this Sunday to give them more rest and extra precaution. Injuries haven’t quite hindered this season, as head coach Ben Johnson has taught his team how to win close games and completely flip the script from last year. With the Bears still winning despite the missing players and their offense beginning to come alive, a playoff push continues to seem likely in an unexpected season. Rodgers has had his way with Chicago over the years and will make potentially one last stop in his career at Soldier Field, while the Bears will try to get the last laugh.
