Bears get great initial news at a crucial position group against the Lions, which has things looking up for Caleb Williams
The Chicago Bears got some good news going into kickoff against the Detroit Lions when it comes to the health of the team's offensive line.Going into the weekend, the Bears had two starting offensive linemen listed as questionable, left tackle Braxton Jones (concussion) and left guard Teven Jenkins (calf).Prior to kickoff, Jenkins worked out with […]
The Chicago Bears got some good news going into kickoff against the Detroit Lions when it comes to the health of the team's offensive line.
Going into the weekend, the Bears had two starting offensive linemen listed as questionable, left tackle Braxton Jones (concussion) and left guard Teven Jenkins (calf).
Prior to kickoff, Jenkins worked out with various coaches and trainers on the field. According to Brad Biggs, the pre-game workout was a short one and Jenkins had a slight limp on the field. Moments later, however, the Bears did not list him as inactive, meaning he will still be able to play.
The player who would have been the next man in line to fill in for Jenkins at left guard, Doug Kramer Jr., will be out for Sunday's game against the Lions. Kramer was a late add to the injury report on Saturday with a shoulder injury and was doubtful going into Sunday.
Jones will also play and start at left tackle protecting Caleb Williams' blindside. Jones missed the previous game against the Minnesota Vikings while rookie Kiran Amegadjie struggled in his place.
With Jenkins banged up and Kramer out, the next option at left guard will be Jake Curhan if anything were to happen to Jenkins during the game. Curhan has played 68 snaps at left guard this season and overall has allowed a total of 0 sacks and three pressures across various positions.
Following Friday's practice, interim head coach Thomas Brown noted the team gave multiple players a look at left guard given the circumstances.
"We have a number of different guys rotating in that same spot [at left guard]," Brown explained. "We have a couple different guys brought in the last couple days and just mixing it up. So, we have a few guys as far as guards and tackles."
The Bears did elevate offensive lineman Chris Glaser from the practice squad for Week 16's game. Glaser, Curhan, and Larry Borom will be the only depth offensive linemen on the gameday roster against the Lions.
On Saturday, the Bears placed the only other potential option to play guard on the injured reserve in Ryan Bates, who suffered a concussion in Week 11 and hasn't been able to clear protocol since. Another guard option, Bill Murray, has been on the injured reserve for the majority of the season.
This news is obviously good for the moment for the team's rookie quarterback who has been sacked 58 times this season, 13 more times than the next closest quarterback going into Week 16. But we'll see if the unit can hold up for four quarters.
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Best ability is availability.
