As if things couldn't get worse for the Chicago Bears after their Week 1 blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers, cornerback Kyler Gordon is now going to miss significant time in the coming weeks.
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ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler tweeted on Thursday, September 14 that the Bears were placing Gordon on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.
The #Bears have played cornerback Kyler Gordon (hand) on IR. He will miss at least four games.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 14, 2023
By being placed on injured reserve, Gordon will miss at least four games. While a hand injury doesn't usually sound like a long-term injury, the young Bears cornerback's issue was serious enough that he won't be able to come back until at least Week 6.
Gordon was expected to take a huge step forward in his second NFL season. A second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Gordon was a standout draft prospect out of Washington due to his impressive athleticism and ball skills.
The 23-year-old flashes real ability as a rookie, starting 14 games for the Bears. He finished the 2022 season with 71 total tackles, three interceptions, six pass breakups and a forced fumble.
With Gordon out for several games, the Bears will now have to lean on the likes of rookies Tyrique Stevenson and Terrell Smith. Stevenson specifically showed flashes in his NFL debut against the Packers, racking up six total tackles, including a tackle for loss, showcasing his physical play style.
Expectations have returned to normal for Bears fans after a disappointing start to the season. However, Gordon's absence could give an opportunity for some of Chicago's other young defensive backs to make a name for themselves and earn invaluable reps early in their careers to help them develop for the future.
