(670 The Score) The Bears elected to shut down cornerback Jaylon Johnson for the remainder of the regular season out of caution for his fractured finger, which would be at risk for further injury if he'd continue playing. With that has come a new opportunity for rookie cornerback Kyler Gordon.
In Chicago's 35-13 loss to Buffalo on Saturday, Gordon stepped into Johnson's role as an outside cornerback in the defense and asserted himself well, becoming the fourth Bears rookie cornerback in the last 20 years to record an interception in consecutive games. The 23-year-old Gordon, a second-round pick of the Bears last spring, has spent most of his rookie season playing in the nickel cornerback position.
Johnson has seen Gordon emerge as an outside cornerback, as he told the Parkins & Spiegel Show on Monday.
"I was able to tell there was a slight difference in some of his mannerisms, being outside versus inside," Johnson said. "I feel like he's gotten a lot of reps and gotten very comfortable inside and the kind of angles are a lot different from the inside and outside that he had to get adjusted to during the game. But overall, I feel like he did really well making some plays on the ball.
"He's definitely able to make some plays and things like that when the ball is in the air, and he has a chance to make a play on it. He has a good knack for the ball."
The Bears selected Gordon with the No. 39 overall pick in the NFL Draft, making him the first selection by first-year general manager Ryan Poles.
Johnson was placed on injured reserve last Friday after the decision was made to avoid risking further injury to his fractured finger.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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