Great news. Obviously, he still might be a month away, but I doubt much beyond that.

 

That gives him a shot to play in 23 days against GB. With the PHI game the week prior on a Friday, we can assume that one is out. However, the GB game would give him 5 more games. GB, CLE, GB, SF, and DET. I think the CLE game would be the latest, as that would be 9 days after the 21-day window. 

The return of JJ and Kyler G should help a lot. We still need a pass rush of course, but having better coverage should help us win shootouts at least - but it puts the lack of pass rush on Caleb's shoulders.

2 hours ago, adam said:

That gives him a shot to play in 23 days against GB. With the PHI game the week prior on a Friday, we can assume that one is out. However, the GB game would give him 5 more games. GB, CLE, GB, SF, and DET. I think the CLE game would be the latest, as that would be 9 days after the 21-day window. 

Saw another report that confirms most of this and speculated that “IF Chicago were in the mix” his earliest return might be Cleveland.  Which I believe was because the Browns aren’t as good a team and it would be a good chance for JJ to start testing things out before playing against tougher competition and theoretically deep into the playoffs.  However if the team wasn’t making the playoffs, then they thought he’d more than likely sit the rest of the season out.  That tells me he’s right on the edge.  

He's listed as questionable against the Vikings, which is crazy. I was thinking he'd be back for that first Packers game, but in light of this news, it might be even sooner than that. Ben said he's healthy. Now it's just a matter of conditioning. What a huge boost that would be to get him back during this difficult stretch.

4 hours ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

Saw another report that confirms most of this and speculated that “IF Chicago were in the mix” his earliest return might be Cleveland.  Which I believe was because the Browns aren’t as good a team and it would be a good chance for JJ to start testing things out before playing against tougher competition and theoretically deep into the playoffs.  However if the team wasn’t making the playoffs, then they thought he’d more than likely sit the rest of the season out.  That tells me he’s right on the edge.  

 

2 hours ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

He's listed as questionable against the Vikings, which is crazy. I was thinking he'd be back for that first Packers game, but in light of this news, it might be even sooner than that. Ben said he's healthy. Now it's just a matter of conditioning. What a huge boost that would be to get him back during this difficult stretch.

Yeah the questionable listing is odd because that is the game listing, not practice. He was "limited" in practice, but others like Edwards and Walker were already ruled out for the game. So why would Johnson be questionable for the game if he was not going to play? 

1 hour ago, adam said:

Yeah the questionable listing is odd because that is the game listing, not practice. He was "limited" in practice, but others like Edwards and Walker were already ruled out for the game. So why would Johnson be questionable for the game if he was not going to play? 

I wondered the same thing. Hmmm.

Right now he's in that 21 day window, but I dont think he is counting against the 53? Does anyone know? If he's not on the 53, then he's not gonna play. How soon before the game can you activate someone?

I'll try to Google, but we have a lot of members on this board that know a lot of stuff - does anyone know about this?

OK well one thing I found out is that if you're bringing someone up off of the practice squad that needs to be done at least 90 minutes before kickoff. My guess is it's the same for bringing players off the 21 day window?

I dont expect to see JJ tomorrow, but stranger things have happened - wouldn't be shocked at all to see him next week.

1 hour ago, BearFan PHX said:

OK well one thing I found out is that if you're bringing someone up off of the practice squad that needs to be done at least 90 minutes before kickoff. My guess is it's the same for bringing players off the 21 day window?

I dont expect to see JJ tomorrow, but stranger things have happened - wouldn't be shocked at all to see him next week.

21 day window is to bring him back to the active roster.  He is not on the 53 but can practice with the team.  
 

I thought there was a limit after which players could no longer return from IR.  Maybe 2 or 3 weeks before the end of the season the return window closed?  

5 hours ago, AZ54 said:

21 day window is to bring him back to the active roster.  He is not on the 53 but can practice with the team.  
 

I thought there was a limit after which players could no longer return from IR.  Maybe 2 or 3 weeks before the end of the season the return window closed?  

I THINK (and I could be wrong) that once you start the 21 day window you have to add the player to the 53 within that window, or the player is done for the year once you declare that window?

So now he HAS to return to the 53 within the next 21 days or hes gone for the season.

Like you say, he can practice with the team, and not count against the 53 until they activate him. But they cant wait more than 21 days to do that now, so theoretically, he should be back soon? This week or next week? I dont anticipate it this week, but next week?

12 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

I THINK (and I could be wrong) that once you start the 21 day window you have to add the player to the 53 within that window, or the player is done for the year once you declare that window?

So now he HAS to return to the 53 within the next 21 days or hes gone for the season.

Like you say, he can practice with the team, and not count against the 53 until they activate him. But they cant wait more than 21 days to do that now, so theoretically, he should be back soon? This week or next week? I dont anticipate it this week, but next week?

Correct, he must return within the 21 day window.  A quick search found this on the designated to return rules:  

 

22 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

Correct, he must return within the 21 day window.  A quick search found this on the designated to return rules:  

 

great find, thank you!

Considering that they opened the window for him on Friday, and that he is out for this week, that means he is either coming back next week, the week after, or not at all for the season. The game the week after that would fall outside the 21 day window. So the next two weeks it is. For the Steelers or the Eagles game.

It would be nice to have him next week if he's ready!

As bad as our secondary is, please don't rush back...

18 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

As bad as our secondary is, please don't rush back...

We have the chance to have JJ, TJ Edwards and Kyle Gordon all back in a couple of weeks. We may be able to play better defense and Aaron Rodgers got hurt today.

7 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

We have the chance to have JJ, TJ Edwards and Kyle Gordon all back in a couple of weeks. We may be able to play better defense and Aaron Rodgers got hurt today.

Rodgers hurt his left wrist.  He might be a go.  I don't want these guys ready until it's 100%.  All three have lingering issues on the season and reinjury is a higher probability.

I’m guessing they have him, Gordon and Edward’s back for the Eagles game. 

On 11/16/2025 at 3:20 PM, Mongo3451 said:

Rodgers hurt his left wrist.  He might be a go.  I don't want these guys ready until it's 100%.  All three have lingering issues on the season and reinjury is a higher probability.

Other notable injuries:

Steelers: Alonzo Hightower LB -pectoral (usually not good) Jalen Warren RB -ankle, Darius Slay DB- concussion.

Eagles: Lane Johnson OT- liz franc fracture- testing but feared out fo season

Packers- Josh Jacob's RB- knee bruise - might miss a game but should be good by Bears game