The Chicago Bears have been hit hard by COVID-19 this week as a slew of players and coaches have been impacted ahead of Monday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
But things have gotten even worse as cornerback Jaylon Johnson and safety Tashaun Gipson have been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Sunday, the team announced.
It’s a brutal blow for the Bears, especially considering Johnson is their best cornerback. But it’s made all the worse considering Chicago’s secondary is depleted due to COVID and injuries.
The #Bears placed CB Jaylon Johnson and S Tashaun Gipson Sr. on the reserve/COVID-19 list. They are out vs the #Vikings.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 19, 2021
The Bears’ starting secondary is on the reserve/COVID-19 list, as Johnson and Gipson join safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Artie Burns. Nickelback Duke Shelley, who was gearing up for a return, is also on the list.
Right now, Kindle Vildor is the only cornerback on the active roster with Deon Bush, Marqui Christian and Teez Tabor the only safeties on the roster.
Expect the Bears to elevate rookie cornerback Thomas Graham to the active roster to start alongside Vildor while Christian and Tabor work in the slot.
While Chicago was already at a disadvantage in this game, the situation has become a disaster the day before the game.
The Bears have 14 players and all three coordinators on the COVID list.
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