The Chicago Bears already had their hands full heading into a Week 17 showdown with Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and a high-powered Green Bay Packers offense this weekend.
The job got a whole lot harder for the Bears as they battle for a playoff spot.
Chicago announced rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson and slot corner Buster Skrine will not play against Green Bay, robbing the Bears of a pair of secondary mainstays.
Skrine has missed each of the last three games due to a concussion, while Johnson has been harboring a shoulder injury.
Johnson has been one of the better rookie corners this season. Although he has given up five touchdowns in coverage, Johnson ranks in a tie for fifth in passes defended (15). Opposing quarterbacks are also completing just over 56 percent of their attempts when targeting Johnson.
Skrine has been a sure tackler and steady presence in the slot, helping the front seven stuff the run. He has struggled in coverage, however, giving up five touchdowns and a 125.7 passer rating.
Still, any form of depletion in the secondary is hardly beneficial against a Packers team that should throw early and often.
Rodgers shredded Chicago in the last meeting between the two teams in Week 12. He completed 21-of-29 passes for 211 yards and four scores. Adams had one of those touchdowns, finishing the game with six receptions for 61 yards. The Rodgers-Adams combo has been one of the most devastating in the NFL this season, with Rodgers entering Week 17 with 44 touchdown passes and Adams hauling in 17 of those.
The Bears will undoubtedly need Khalil Mack and Co. to generate more pressure up front with the secondary still ailing, especially now that David Bakhtiari is out for Green Bay. Chicago can clinch a playoff spot with a win, but will need the Arizona Cardinals to fall to the Los Angeles Rams in the event of a loss.
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