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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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The Chicago Bears' Ben Johnson era may get off to a rocky start.
Heading into the team's Week 1 "Monday Night Football" matchup against the division rival Minnesota Vikings, the Bears received some pretty devastating injury news just hours before the game.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Chicago will be without arguably its top defensive player in two-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
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"Sources: #Bears All-Pro CB Jaylon Johnson will not play tonight due to calf and groin injuries," Schultz reported. "He went through warmups but needs at least another week. Significant absence for Chicago."
Johnson, who signed a four-year, $76 million deal with Chicago last offseason, is one of the key pieces of the team's defense.
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He played the second-most coverage snaps of any of the team's defensive backs last season (575)—behind only Kevin Byard (578)—and he finished tied for team lead in interceptions (two), tied for second in passes defensed (eight), and ranked third in tackles for loss (seven).
Of DBs to play at least 100 coverage snaps, Johnson allowed the third-lowest completion percentage (62.7), the fourth-lowest yards per reception (13.3) and the fourth-lowest passer rating against (85.7), per Pro Football Focus.
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In his absence, the Bears will likely roll with Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, and Josh Blackwell as its top three corners.
Stevenson played 442 coverage snaps last season, allowing a 53.1 completion percentage and an 83.2 passer rating against, per PFF, while Gordon played 388 coverage snaps and allowed a 71.9 completion percentage and 102.4 passer rating against.
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