Bears finally get some encouraging news about Kyler Gordon's return

The Chicago Bears won't have Kyler Gordon to begin the 2026 season, but there's finally some optimism surrounding the standout nickel cornerback's recovery. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Gordon is currently away from the Bears and working with his own trainer as he attempts to accelerate his recovery from the calf injury that landed him on injured reserve. The plan, per Rapoport, is for Gordon to return to the team a few weeks into the regular season and begin practicing shortly thereafter. That's an encouraging development after Gordon missed virtually all of training camp because of the injury. It also provides a tentative timeline for a Bears secondary that has been waiting months to get one of its most important defenders back on the field. Gordon won't be available for Sunday's opener against the Carolina Panthers, and there's still no firm date for his return. But after an offseason filled with uncertainty surrounding his health, the Bears finally have some reason for optimism.