In a surprising turn of events, Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore received encouraging news after being hospitalized following their narrow 25-24 victory over the Washington Commanders. And this is the part most people might overlook—there's often more to these injury updates than meets the eye, and Moore's situation is no exception. But here's where it gets controversial: many fans and analysts wonder just how serious his injury really was, and whether the team’s optimistic tone might be downplaying potential setbacks.
On Tuesday, head coach Ben Johnson shared with ESPN Chicago that Moore was dealing with a groin injury but reassured everyone that “we got some good news on that regard.” He went further to say that Moore is expected to be released from the hospital later in the day, emphasizing a positive outlook.
Johnson added that Moore’s recovery status will be considered “day-to-day,” meaning his availability could shift depending on how he responds in the coming days. The Bears also issued a brief statement, via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, confirming that Moore was taken to a local hospital in the Washington D.C. area as a precautionary measure for medical evaluation—something teams often do when a player lands hard or shows signs of injury.
Despite the injury scare, Moore did start and play the entire game against the Commanders. He was on the field for a remarkable 93.8% of the Bears’ offensive snaps—his highest since the final week of last season—highlighting his importance to the team’s offense. Throughout the game, Moore caught three passes for 42 yards, all on Chicago’s opening drive, and also contributed with two rushing attempts for an additional 10 yards.
There was a brief moment when Moore had to visit the medical tent after landing hard on his left hip out of bounds, but he quickly returned to the game without any obvious limitations. This quick return suggests that, at least for now, his injury might not be as severe as initially feared.
Since starting the season 0-2, the Bears have managed to rally with three consecutive wins, including a dramatic victory over Washington. The winning play came on Jake Moody’s 38-yard field goal as time expired, after a costly Commanders turnover with just over three minutes remaining.
Moore has been a consistent starter for Chicago through the first five games. His start has been slow—collecting 215 yards and one touchdown on 19 receptions—but he still ranks as the second-leading receiver on the team in both catches and yards.
Looking ahead, the Bears face a quick turnaround with just a few days to prepare for their upcoming game against the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field. Will Moore be ready to go? That’s the question on everyone’s mind—and it might just be the most talked-about topic in Chicago’s locker room this week.
