Outpoll | Ben Johnson provides DJ Moore health status update after Bears’ win

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Ben Johnson provides DJ Moore health status update after Bears’ win

Ben Johnson provides DJ Moore health status update after Bears’ win

2 days ago7 min read4 comments

In the gritty, hard-fought theater of Monday Night Football, where every yard is earned through sheer physical will, the Chicago Bears' dramatic 25-24 comeback victory over the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium was a testament to resilience, a quality embodied perfectly by wide receiver DJ Moore even as he battled through a concerning groin injury. While kicker Jake Moody’s clutch 38-yard field goal as time expired will dominate the highlight reels, extending the Bears' winning streak to a formidable three games, the real story unfolded in the medical facilities of Washington D.C. , where Moore remained overnight for precautionary observation—a decision that casts a shadow over the team's triumphant moment.Bears head coach Ben Johnson, in his characteristically measured Tuesday press conference, confirmed the sobering details, noting Moore’s hospital stay and adopting a cautious 'day-by-day' approach that echoes the careful management of a star player’s long-term health, a strategy reminiscent of how legendary franchises like the Patriots handled key assets during their dynasty runs. The pivotal moment likely occurred late in the first quarter, a seemingly innocuous 12-yard reception on a critical third-and-20 where Moore, after securing the pass and veering up the right sideline, absorbed a punishing blow to his lower left side; the broadcast footage captured a subtle but telling hobble as he rose, his left hand instinctively pressing against his waist—a visual cue that often precedes a significant soft-tissue issue.What makes Moore’s situation particularly compelling, from an analytical standpoint, is the sheer volume of his subsequent participation; according to the meticulous data from Pro Football Focus, he was on the field for 60 of the team’s 64 offensive snaps, a warrior’s workload that belied any immediate severity. His final stat line—three receptions for 42 yards on five targets—may appear modest, but his 17-yard snag on second-and-6 was a chain-moving play that directly facilitated one of Moody’s field goals, demonstrating his value beyond the box score.Perhaps even more impressive was his contribution in the trenches, where the Bears’ ground game flourished; Moore was credited with 24 run-blocking reps, earning a stellar 71. 7 grade from PFF, a figure that places him among the league's more physical and selfless receivers, drawing parallels to the all-around game of a Hines Ward or an Anquan Boldin, players who understood that glory is often found in the unselfish, dirty work.The post-game Instagram celebration, showing Moore walking off with a smile, offers a flicker of optimism, but the looming short-week turnaround for a Sunday clash with the New Orleans Saints injects a palpable sense of urgency. Losing a weapon of Moore’s caliber, a player who forces defensive coordinators to alter their entire coverage shell, would be a devastating blow to an offense finding its rhythm, potentially stalling the momentum of a team that is, for the first time in a while, playing with palpable belief. This injury narrative is a classic football parable of sacrifice, where the price of a single, euphoric win can be the long-term availability of a cornerstone player, a calculated risk that front offices and medical staffs must constantly navigate in the brutal, week-to-week grind of the NFL season.