The Chicago Bears got more bad news on the injury front ahead of Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers . In addition to being without all three starting linebackers — Tremaine Edmunds (groin), T.J. Edwards (hand/hamstring) and Noah Sewell (elbow) — Chicago will also not have starting cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson (groin) and Kyler Gordon (calf).
Johnson and Gordon were both full participants on Friday and listed as questionable for Sunday. Left tackle Theo Benedet (quad) and strong safety Jaquan Brisker (shoulder) are also questionable.
Gordon was designated to return to practice Wednesday, opening a 21-day window to activate him off injured reserve. Johnson was designated to return last Friday. The team is hopeful that both could come off IR for next week againstt the Philadelphia Eagles if all goes well, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler .
"We clearly want them back," head coach Ben Johnson said . "They're really good players that will certainly help us out, but I think the guys in their stead, they've been doing a heck of a job."
D'Marco Jackson, rookie Ruben Hyppolite and Amen Ogbongbemiga are expected to fill in at linebacker for Chicago.
The Bears lead the league in turnover differential at +16 with 22 takeaways and only six giveaways. Chicago also leads the NFL with 15 interceptions. Edmunds and cornerback Nahshon Wright each have four interceptions. Safety Kevin Byard III leads the Bears with five interceptions, which is also the most in the entire NFL this season. Edmunds was placed on injured reserve on Saturday.
Chicago Bears' Jaylon Johnson warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
It's still unclear who the Steelers quarterback will be on Sunday against Chicago. Aaron Rodgers is still questionable. Defensive tackle Cam Heyward and cornerback Darius Slay both had their injury status removed for the game on Saturday.
Rodgers was listed as a limited participant in Friday's practice and has a questionable designation for Friday's game. He was also a limited participant in Thursday's practice, but head coach Mike Tomlin said he still needs to see more after the end of the official week of practice.
"I thought I saw a solid effort, but it's Friday and we've still got some time," Tomlin said. "We'll see where the weekend leads us."
He said the important conversations going forward will be held between Rodgers and the team's medical staff. If Rodgers is not 100%, but is medically able to play, he said that he'll have to make a decision between Rodgers and Mason Rudolph at that point.
"It's thoughtful decision making that you go through, almost routinely, particularly when it's this time of year, when you get into the meat of things," he said.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Bears Get More Bad News ahead of Steelers Game
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