Bears Cut Former 2nd-Rounder as Jaylon Johnson Eyes Week 1 Return

The Chicago Bears made their final roster moves to reach the 53-man limit, with a mix of tough injury designations, surprise cuts, and one major star inching toward a return.

Injury Report

Running back Travis Homer and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga were both placed on short-term injured reserve, sidelining them for at least the opening stretch of the season.

The big news is cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Head coach Ben Johnson confirmed the Pro Bowl corner will be on the 53-man roster and is targeting a Week 1 return despite not yet practicing. Johnson has officially been activated from the PUP list.

Rookie corner Zah Frazier was placed on the non-football injury list for the year. General manager Ryan Poles noted the matter is personal but said Frazier will remain around the team in meetings, workouts, and with the medical staff.

At special teams, punter Tory Taylor was activated from the PUP list, giving the Bears some stability in the kicking game.

Roster Cuts

Defensive lineman Zacch Pickens headlined the Bears’ 17 roster cuts, ending his run in Chicago after being a former second-round pick. The move was part of the team’s final adjustments to hit the roster limit.

What It Means

The Bears are banking on Jaylon Johnson’s return to stabilize a secondary that will need his presence right away. Losing Frazier for the season hurts the depth chart, while the release of Pickens signals a shift in the defensive line rotation. Chicago enters 2025 with key pieces sidelined but also with optimism that one of their top defenders will be back on the field in Week 1.