The Chicago Bears are still awaiting the return of safety Coby Bryant, who has been out of action since sustaining a knee injury during training camp. The defensive back continues to make progress in his rehabilitation. Yet, head coach Ben Johnson has shared the need to remain cautious.
In his latest update, Johnson noted that Bryant is progressing according to schedule. However, the Bears head coach also said that the safety still has some ground to cover before advancing to more challenging physical activities.
“He's on track,” Johnson said. “We are still a little ways away from him doing the change-of-direction stuff.”
Bryant suffered the injury during a training camp practice in early August. While the initial assessment indicated that he could return within a few weeks, further evaluations altered the outlook, eventually leading to knee surgery.
The procedure pushed his anticipated recovery timeline to four to six months. That schedule initially left the door open for a potential December return, but an extended recovery could force him to miss the remainder of the season.
Bryant's absence has been a considerable setback for Chicago, particularly after the team made a substantial investment in him during the offseason. The safety joined the Bears on a three-year, $40 million contract after spending the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks.
Article Continues BelowDuring his time in Seattle, Bryant established himself as a reliable defensive playmaker, recording seven interceptions across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. His contributions also helped the Seahawks win Super Bowl LX before he departed for Chicago.
Chicago brought Bryant in to strengthen its secondary, and his experience was expected to complement rookie safety Dillon Thieneman.
However, his injury has forced Chicago to consider alternative options in the secondary. For now, the team's primary focus remains on ensuring Bryant can withstand the physical demands of football before making his return to the field.

