Chicago Bears insider reveals latest on Coby Bryant’s potential return from injury

As they enjoy their bye week, the Chicago Bears sit atop the NFC North with a 7-2 record.

The North has been one of, if not the best, divisions in football this year. It’s set to be a dogfight towards the end of the season. With the Minnesota Vikings making a massive trade for QB Kirk Cousins during Tuesday’s deadline, it became even tougher. The Bears will need to keep winning and stay healthy as the season progresses.

One of the Bears’ most intriguing injured players is safety Coby Bryant. The former Seahawk was signed to a three-year, 40-million-dollar deal with Chicago this past off-season, and unfortunately has yet to play a snap. Bryant suffered a left knee hyperextension, bone bruise, and small fracture during an August training camp practice, and was placed on IR right after.

His initial recovery time was reported to be ‘4-6 months’, and now, some are wondering if he’ll even make an appearance this season. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune was asked in his mailbag this week if he knows when Bryant could potentially return.

“There’s no clear timetable for Bryant’s return after the fifth-year safety, the Bears’ biggest addition in free agency, was lost to a left knee injury in training camp that required surgery. Ben Johnson said after the surgery that the range for Bryant’s return was four to six months. Four months would land somewhere in mid-December. Six months would be after the postseason ends.”

The latest update from head coach Ben Johnson came at the end of October, when he said Bryant was “Right on track”. However, when Biggs asked about Bryant’s availability in December or January, Johnson responded, “We’re going to keep that vague at the moment.”

No one truly knows when, or if, Bryant will return this season, but it seems the hope is he’ll be available in the playoffs.

Chicago Bears: If Coby Bryant returns, where does Cam Lewis play?

In Coby Bryant’s absence, Cam Lewis has stepped up in a major way. The 29-year-old defensive back has had a career year thus far, playing 85% of snaps and recording 35 total tackles. He also got his first interception of the season during last week’s wild win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Lewis has been in the NFL since 2020 and has already started more games this year (7) than in any of his previous seasons. He was mainly a backup for the Buffalo Bills, but has since stepped into a big role for the Bears.

He’s become the ‘do everything’ safety for Dennis Allen’s defense, and has proven to be one of Ryan Poles’ best additions this offseason. It’s truly telling that the Bears didn’t go after any safeties during the trade deadline. Either Bryant is coming back, or the team values Lewis’ play more than a new acquisition.

Cam Lewis with a nasty hit and PBU pic.twitter.com/5k6aRBcjn3

— Kalshi Chicago (@KalshiChicago) November 3, 2026

Even though Johnson’s response to Biggs wasn’t exactly direct, it doesn’t mean we can rule out Bryant returning. Even if he does return, he’ll likely split time with Lewis, as it would be hard to take him off the field after his impressive play.

“I don’t believe Johnson was trying to be evasive. I think he was saying they really don’t know if Bryant will be an option this season. As he said, running in a straight line is a first step. What’s going to matter is if Bryant can move laterally at high speed and with comfort. That’s the challenge, and the Bears are probably a couple of weeks away from having a little more insight on the situation.”

As the season progresses, we’ll likely get another update or two on the situation. Until then, the Bears’ shiny new offseason signing will need to wait to make his season debut.

More: Chicago Bears deemed ‘Kings’ of the NFL trade deadline

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