Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles stated Tuesday that he is unsure if star defensive back Kyler Gordon will play at all this season, citing a persistent calf injury.
Gordon, a key member of the Bears' defensive backfield, has been on the physically unable to perform list since missing spring practices and all of training camp. This designation means he will be sidelined for at least the first four games of the season. Poles acknowledged the team's hope for Gordon's return but offered no guarantees.
"I don't know," Poles said when asked about Gordon's potential return. "I would hope so. I still have hope there. He's going to have to continue to work hard and come back to play football again."
The 26-year-old Gordon was a second-round pick in 2022 and quickly made an impact, recording three interceptions in his rookie year and two more in his second season. He started 13 games in 2024 and signed a three-year, $40 million contract extension prior to the 2025 season. However, last season he was limited to only three games due to groin and calf injuries, though he did participate in both of the Bears' playoff games.
Poles declined to provide specific details about the nature of Gordon's injury or the reasons for the slow recovery process. He confirmed that Gordon has been undergoing rehabilitation.
"Some of these guys they also have other people that they work with too," Poles commented. "But yeah, he's working. . . . We're not progressing as fast as we'd like. That's really all I have to say."
Last season, the Bears' pass defense ranked 22nd in the league, allowing an average of 227.2 yards per game, a performance largely without Gordon's consistent presence. The team aims for improvement in this area regardless of Gordon's availability for the upcoming season.