Terell Smith exited Chicago’s preseason game with a left-leg injury, wiping out a key early-season depth piece. The Bears already wrestle with Jaylon Johnson’s lingering absence and Kyler Gordon’s hamstring, leaving the outside cornerback rotation thinner than anticipated. Smith had surged in camp, pushing for the second outside cornerback job against Tyrique Stevenson and Nahshon Wright. With Smith’s health uncertain, Stevenson and Wright could gain real opportunities to claim outside snaps, while Johnson’s Week 1 status looms large. Fantasy implications center on defensive back rotations and opportunistic streaming options if Smith misses time, especially once Johnson returns and Stevenson/Wright press for roles. Stay tuned to practice reports for confirmation on Week 1 corner assignments against the Vikings.

Bears camp has Nahshon Wright turning heads as he battles for an outside cornerback job opposite Jaylon Johnson, with Al Harris supervising the Bears’ revamped secondary. Wright, a former third-round pick who spent time with Dallas under Harris, has impressed with his size, football IQ, and willingness to take coaching. Harris’s impact is highlighted by the quick bond he’s formed with Wright, a sign of potential long-term development at corner.

Wright’s push comes as he competes with Tyrique Stevenson for Week 1 duties, with Stevenson bringing length and volatility to the outside. Johnson remains a Pro Bowler and the anchor, but Wright’s summer surge has everyone watching the depth chart. If the rookie remains sharp, a starting role could be his early in the season, reshaping how Chicago’s secondary is projected for fantasy and real-game impact.

Overall, this reunion between Wright and Harris is a storyline to monitor—one that could lift the Bears’ pass defense from solid to formidable if Wright translates training-camp momentum into Week 1 production.

The Chicago Bears will kick off their preseason slate against the Miami Dolphins with largely expected starter rests, but a notable cast will still take the field to showcase depth, compete for regular-season spots, and provide fantasy angles to monitor. Tyson Bagent will start at quarterback, aiming to build confidence in Johnson’s offense and press Case Keenum for the QB2 job. Behind him, rookies and camp standouts will get extended looks: Kyle Monangai (backup pace), Roschon Johnson (rotational) and Luther Burden III are primed to flash in multiple drive types. Undrafted JP Richardson has earned attention with big catches and a connection with Bagent, while Ozzy Trapilo and Austin Booker vie for starting spots and rotational roles on the line and on defense. Nahshon Wright has been a steady presence at corner, and Tysheem Johnson looms as a crafty safety-in-waiting, giving Chicago genuine upside in the defensive backfield. D’Andre Swift’s presence in the depth conversation adds veteran reliability to the backfield, further shaping the depth-chart narrative for the Bears heading into the season.

The Bears’ depth battle isn’t mere roster fodder; it feeds fantasy forecasts for late-round darts and dynasty stashes. Bagent’s Poise and the B-agent-friendly offense will be under real test pressure in extended reps; Richardson’s chemistry with him could translate into a Week 1 path if injuries creep in. Burden’s big-play potential stands out given his role with the second team, while Trapilo’s and Booker’s performances will influence long-term projections at tackle and edge. Wright’s early turnover potential and Johnson’s impactful hits could translate into value in deeper fantasy formats. Miami’s depth will test these Bears, but the showcase could establish several players as credible post-draft sleepers or roster shapers for 2025 fantasy rosters.

The Minnesota Vikings have made the decision to part ways with cornerback Nashon Wright, just months after acquiring him from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for Andrew Booth Jr. Wright saw very limited action during his time with the Vikings, appearing in only one game and spending the majority of the 2024 season on the practice squad. His tenure with the team was marked by a complete absence of defensive snaps, instead only contributing on special teams. As the Vikings look to revamp their secondary heading into the 2025 season, the upcoming NFL Draft presents an opportunity to address their needs, particularly with the 24th overall pick.