With the Bears opening the season Monday night against the Vikings, they were required to release their first injury report Thursday.
Although players were off, Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson would have participated in a limited capacity had the team practiced. Last Tuesday, Johnson – who is dealing with calf and groin injuries – was moved from the non-football injury list to the 53-man roster after missing all of training camp and the preseason.
"I definitely want to see [No.] 1 back, for sure," said safety Jaquan Brisker. "I know he's itching to get back. I'm itching to see him get back."
The Bears plan to ease Johnson back into action as they prepare to host Minnesota.
"Whenever a guy misses that significant amount of time, you're very cautious in making sure that injury doesn't reoccur again," coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday. "I know he's feeling significantly better than he was from the start. We'll see what he looks like moving around and hopefully take it from there. I know he's excited to get back out with his teammates here soon."
In other injury news, rookie running back Kyle Monangai (hamstring) also would have been limited, while running back Roschon Johnson (foot), linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) and cornerback Josh Blackwell (groin) would have been unable to practice.
Getting physical
It's impossible to know for sure how the new Bears offense will fare in its debut performance, but tight end Cole Kmet is fairly certain about one thing.
"I think I know how we are going to look based on how we practiced, and that physicality will for sure show up," Kmet said. "To do it with real and live and now it really counts, that will be exciting to see. I have a lot of confidence and faith in the guys in the locker room and what we've built."
Kmet has enjoyed pairing at tight end with rookie Colston Loveland, the 10th overall pick in this year's draft out of Michigan.
"I love it," Kmet said. "I mean, Colston is great. Getting to know him has been a lot of fun. It's been great seeing him grow throughout camp too. Adjusting to the style in the NFL is a different beast, but I've been really impressed by how he's handled himself. That's been a lot of fun to watch."
Loveland is more than just a threat in the passing game.
"He brings good physicality in the run game," Kmet said. "That's not easy to do as a rookie coming into the league. I know how it was for me at first … You see him getting off the ball and doing great things."
Young talent
Loveland is one of three skill-position rookies who could make an impact on offense, joining second-round receiver Luther Burden III and Monangai, a seventh-round selection from Rutgers.
"It's impressive," Kmet said. "When you can come in and handle your own and show the coaches and gain the coaches' trust is the biggest thing. All three of those guys have done that to some capacity, whether it's making plays or how they handle adjustments on the football field. They've all shown that, and they deserve all the credit for that."
