Bears Activate CB Kyler Gordon from PUP List; Dayo Odeyingbo Placed on IR

Chicago Bears nickel corner Kyler Gordon has been activated to the 53-man roster following a calf injury that sidelined him for the first four games.

The Chicago Bears activated nickel corner Kyler Gordon from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to the 53-man roster on Saturday, according to a report by ESPN. Gordon, who missed the first four games of the season while rehabbing a calf injury, has been a full participant in practice for the past three weeks. Coach Ben Johnson indicated Gordon could contribute as early as the Week 6 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. In a corresponding roster move, the team placed defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo on injured reserve due to a quad injury sustained last week against the Green Bay Packers.

Gordon returns after a 2025 season where he was limited to five games, including playoffs, due to multiple soft tissue injuries. In April 2025, the Bears signed Gordon to a three-year, $40 million extension with $31.25 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid primary slot corner in the NFL. During his limited action last year, Gordon allowed 16 receptions on 24 targets for 243 yards and three touchdowns. According to Next Gen Stats, he allowed a 139.4 passer rating in coverage, the third-highest mark among cornerbacks with at least 20 targets.

Originally selected 39th overall in the 2022 draft, Gordon was the first pick made by general manager Ryan Poles. While he returned to practice on Sept. 30, he has been on the reserve/PUP list since Aug. 30. Coach Johnson noted that while the team hoped Odeyingbo would avoid IR, the defensive end is now expected to miss significant time.