A red-hot Bears secondary could be short-handed against a red-hot Jordan Love on Sunday.
Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson is doubtful with a shoulder injury he suffered against the Falcons last week, when he played only 20 snaps. Slot cornerback Kyler Gordon, who like Johnson is playing at a high level, is questionable with a calf injury he suffered in practice Wednesday.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Gordon is “hopefully trending in the right direction.” Johnson doesn’t figure to play in a meaningless game with a bad shoulder. And players listed as doubtful generally don’t play. But Eberflus did not dismiss the idea that Johnson might.
“We’re trying to get him there,” Eberflus said. “With that caliber of player, we’re doing everything we can to get him to the game.”
The Bears have strong secondary depth with cornerback Terell Smith playing regular snaps and safety Elijah Hicks effective in spot duty. But the secondary has never been stronger than with the five-man unit healthy — combining for 10 interceptions in the last six games among cornerbacks Tyrique Stevenson (four), Gordon (two) and Johnson (two) and safeties Jaquan Brisker (1) and Eddie Jackson (1).
At full strength or not, the Bears will be tested by Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who has a 109.9 passer rating (16 touchdowns, one interception) in his last six games — second in the NFL in that span, behind the 49ers’ Brock Purdy (117.0).
For the Packers, running back A.J. Dillon (thumb/neck) is out. Linebacker Preston Smith (ankle), guard Elgton Jenkins (knee/ankle), tight end Luke Musgrave (kidney), and wide receivers Christian Watson (hamstring) and Jayden Reed (chest) are questionable.
Mooney out again
Wide receiver Darnell Mooney will miss his second consecutive game with a concussion, ending a disappointing 2023 season in which he had 31 receptions for 414 yards and one touchdown — a 20-yard reception against the Packers in the season opener.
Wide receiver DJ Moore, who was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle injury he suffered against the Cardinals, had full participation in practice Friday and will start against the Packers.
Tight end Cole Kmet (knee), long-snapper Patrick Scales and back-up quarterback Tyson Bagent (illness) had full participation Friday and are questionable. Running back Khalil Herbert (back) did not practice and is questionable.
Happy Birthday, Virginia
Eberflus and his players made a video tribute to Bears owner Virginia McCaskey, who celebrated her 101st birthday Friday. McCaskey, the daughter of Bears founder George Halas, has been alive for 782 of the 810 victories in the 104-year history of the Staley’s/Bears franchise.
Scales’ streak
Long-snapper Patrick Scales played in his 100th consecutive game last week, but suffered a foot injury that put that streak in doubt. The Bears signed former Colts, Titans, Jaguars, Chargers and Cowboys long-snapper Matt Overton in case Scales can’t go.
Scales is the longest-tenured Bears player, with 121 games played since 2015. He missed the 2017 season with an injury and was replaced by Andrew DePaola.
“[The streak] doesn’t really determine whether I go or not [Sunday], but I want to be there for the guys and help the operation and help the team win more than anything,” Scales said. “It’s day-to-day still. Hopefully it keeps trending in the right direction and we’ll be good.”
Pace’s Pro Bowlers
DePaola made the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season with the Vikings. He is one of five players to make the Pro Bowl who were acquired by general manager Ryan Pace during his seven seasons with the Bears.
The others are Johnson, Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack, Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith and Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert.
