Matt Eberflus ‘hopeful’ Jaylon Johnson can return Thursday

Jaylon Johnson went through a workout on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium hours before the Bears played the Vikings on Sunday. The next day, coach Matt Eberflus sounded optimistic that his standout cornerback could play Thursday against the Commanders.

“We’re hopeful that he’ll be ready to go,” Eberflus said Monday.

The team’s injury report showed similar optimism. The Bears held a walkthrough but are required by league rules to put out a practice report as though they held a standard workout. Johnson would’ve been a full participant, the Bears said — another encouraging sign.

Johnson hurt his quadriceps in practice Sept. 22, three days before the Week 3 game against the Texans. He returned to practice for the first time Friday and was listed as doubtful for the Vikings game before being ruled out 90 minutes before kickoff.

Johnson went through a workout after the walkthrough. Speaking beforehand, Eberflus was curious to see how he would feel.

“We’ll see where he is,” Eberflus said.

The Bears said that linebacker Matt Adams, who hurt his calf Sunday, would not have practiced Monday. Safety Dane Cruik-shank, who hasn’t played since Week 2 because of a hamstring injury, would have been a full participant.

Harry activated

When the Bears activated N’Keal Harry from injured reserve, they cleared the way for the wide receiver to make his season debut Thursday.

Harry suffered a high ankle sprain during a training-camp practice in early August and had surgery to hasten his return. When the season began, the Bears put him on IR, which cost him the first four games of the season. Harry returned to practice last week but did not get activated for the game against Minnesota.

The Bears’ wide receiver corps is one of the least potent in the NFL, and it’s unlikely that Harry’s return changes that. But the 2019 first-round pick — for whom the Bears sent a 2023 seventh-round pick to the Patriots in July — is a big-bodied pass catcher who could help in the red zone, where they have struggled.

Short schedule

With a game Thursday, the Bears held the walkthrough Monday and will do the same Tuesday. Eberflus will hold a practice Wednesday with helmets and red-zone work, something recent Bears coaches have not done before Thursday games. Typically, NFL teams have a walkthrough the day before games.

The Bears will have meetings and walkthroughs on Thursday morning, too.

“It’s a lot of walkthroughs, mental work,” Eberflus said. “It’s a lot of film study with the players and coaches. Players on their own. So you gotta be prepared mentally because you’re already almost in the 48-hour preparation.”

Commanders down

Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz would have been limited with an injury to his throwing shoulder had the team practiced. Jahan Dotson (hamstring) would not have practiced, while fellow wide receiver Dyami Brown (groin), who caught two touchdown passes Sunday, would have been limited. Tight end Logan Thomas (calf) would have been limited, too.