The Bears activated cornerback Kyler Gordon from the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, making him available for Sunday’s game in Atlanta. Gordon had been eligible to return by Oct. 20 or be shut down for the season, and a calf injury sidelined him for the first five games of 2026. The team plans to ease him back with a limited role. In a roster move, Chicago signed defensive back Nick McCloud, placed defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo on IR, and released defensive back Xavier Woods.
Kyler Gordon’s calf injury has been a continuing issue, having affected much of the offseason program. General Manager Ryan Poles had identified the calf as the problem in late July, and Gordon missed training camp and the preseason. He began the year on the PUP list, which delayed his return until Weeks 4–5. A previous near-returned status kept him in healthy doubt leading up to the Packers game. In 2025, Gordon played in three regular-season games and returned for both playoff contests.
Gordon serves as the Bears’ starting slot cornerback, with Cam Lewis and rookie Malik Muhammad sharing duties in his absence. Tyrique Stevenson, who starts on the outside, has posted a 143.8 passer rating allowed and a 44.4 Pro Football Focus coverage grade in limited sample, according to team analyses. Muhammad played all 50 defensive snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3. Stevenson is listed as questionable for the upcoming game due to a hip injury, while linebacker T.J. Edwards is out with a hamstring strain.
Drafted in 2022 as the first pick of Poles’ tenure, Gordon was selected 39th overall out of Washington and started 14 games as a rookie, recording three interceptions. In 2024 he posted career highs with 75 tackles and three fumble recoveries, and earned a solid Pro Football Focus grade. His strong 2024 performance led to a three-year, $40 million extension in 2025, averaging $13.33 million per year and making him one of the league’s top-paid slot corners.
Chicago heads to Atlanta for the Oct. 18 matchup, then hosts New England four days later. The impact of Gordon’s return—especially in terms of snaps—will unfold as the game progresses.
