The Chicago Bears are grappling with challenging injury issues within their offensive line as they prepare for their upcoming home game against the Detroit Lions. This NFC North matchup, slated for Sunday, sees two starters, left tackle Braxton Jones and left guard Teven Jenkins, listed as questionable, raising concerns among fans and analysts alike.
Jones, who is dealing with a concussion, has missed practice time this week. He was unable to participate fully on Wednesday, instead going through a walkthrough session with the team. The 23-year-old was sidelined during the Bears' recent 30-12 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings. Thankfully, he managed to return for workouts on Friday without restrictions. When asked about Jones's potential return against the Lions, interim coach Thomas Brown expressed cautious optimism, stating, "I’m as optimistic as I can be. We'll see how it goes though." This sentiment reflects the uncertainty surrounding Jones's condition as game day approaches.
Teven Jenkins's situation is also unclear as he deals with a calf injury. After missing Wednesday and Thursday's practices, Jenkins returned to limited participation on Friday. Brown commented, "We'll see how it goes the next couple days. We'll see how it goes tomorrow and also Sunday before the game." The status of Jenkins adds another layer of unpredictability for the Bears heading toward the game.
Aside from Jones and Jenkins, the Bears face additional injury woes. Reserve center/guard Ryan Bates has been ruled out entirely due to complications from his own concussion, limiting the team's depth on the line. Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr., who is contending with a knee issue, is listed as questionable after being limited during practices this week. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson is also tagged as questionable because of an illness, but Brown sounded hopeful about his chances for Sunday. The coach said, "I feel good about him playing on game day. We’ll see how the next couple days go."
Adding to the Bears' troubles, running back Travis Homer picked up a hamstring injury during Friday's workout and is now doubtful for Sunday’s game. Meanwhile, there is some relief on the running back front, as Roschon Johnson is set to return from concussion protocol after missing two consecutive games. He practiced fully without any limitations throughout the week and harbors no injury designation at this time. Brown praised Johnson's prior effectiveness, noting, "Roschon made a big hit this year when it came to short yardage, goal line, getting the tough yards." This return should bolster the Bears' backfield, providing some much-needed depth as they face off against the Lions.
Throughout the week, the focus has been on how the Bears plan to adapt to the potential loss of Jones and Jenkins. Their offensive line has already been under scrutiny, and these injuries are unlikely to improve the situation. Losing both starters would force the Bears to shuffle their lineup significantly—a situation they can ill-afford if they want to secure their first division win of the season.
Jones suffered the most recent setback during the game against the Lions. He was carted off the field late in the second quarter after sustaining a left ankle injury. The incident occurred when Lions defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike fell awkwardly onto the right leg of Jones during play. The gravity of the injury was evident as Jones laid on the ground and trainers worked to stabilize his ankle before placing it in an air cast. Despite the situation, Jones managed to give the Soldier Field crowd a thumbs-up as he was being carted away, showing his fighting spirit even amid adversity.
Jenkins sustained his injury moments before Jones's, ruling him out of the game as well. Both players had entered the matchup with injury doubts, and their collective absence proved detrimental to the Bears' performance against the Lions. The left side of the Bears' offensive line, already burdened, took yet another hit which could spell trouble for the rest of the season.
Looking forward, the Bears need to find ways to bolster their offensive line depth, especially as they navigate the current complications. The upcoming game against the Lions offers not only the potential for redemption after last week’s loss but also tests the mettle of the remaining players stepping up to fill the gaps. It remains to be seen how the situation will play out on Sunday, but one thing is clear: the Bears will need all hands on deck if they’re to secure the much-coveted win.
With injuries playing such a significant role, Bears fans will be watching closely to see how the coaching staff adjusts and whether the team can hold strong against their bitter division rival. There’s hope for recovery, but much rides on the coming days and the final decision about who will be taking the field.
