Overview

• Johnson said a “bad, bad” groin injury from a summer workout was a freak accident that sidelined him for all of training camp.
• The Bears removed him from the non-football injury list at final cuts and kept him on the 53-man roster, but he has not been cleared to play.
• He plans to obtain medical clearance to practice this week and emphasized the need for pads, game-speed reps, and communication work before a return.
• He hopes to face the Vikings on Monday night at Soldier Field yet made no guarantees, and Ben Johnson stressed avoiding a setback after six-plus weeks out.
• As the team’s top corner in Dennis Allen’s defense, his availability is pivotal against Justin Jefferson, with depth already strained by Terell Smith’s season-ending injury; Johnson also said his absence was not contract-related.