Depth of the Bears' offensive line will be tested as the unit looks short-handed due to injury ahead of Week 9
The Chicago Bears are starting to look thin at a critical position group leading up to the team's Week 9 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.Following Wednesday's walk through practice, the Bears had four offensive linemen listed as out or limited to start the week of practice.The Bears normally hold a full live practice on Wednesday […]
The Chicago Bears are starting to look thin at a critical position group leading up to the team's Week 9 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
Following Wednesday's walk through practice, the Bears had four offensive linemen listed as out or limited to start the week of practice.
The Bears normally hold a full live practice on Wednesday to start the week but altered the practice plans this week due to the health and level of depth up-front.
Two of the Bears' five starters on the offensive line were listed on Wednesday's injury report with two other key backups joining them on the list. Starting left tackle Braxton Jones did not practice with a knee injury and left guard Teven Jenkins was limited with a knee injury, both players left the game in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders.
Jones was replaced by rookie offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie, who had an up and down performance in Jones' place. However, the rookie suffered a calf injury in the loss and did not practice on Wednesday. Head coach Matt Eberflus noted that it doesn't look like Amegadjie will be able to go on Sunday against the Cardinals.
The next available man at left tackle would either be starting right guard Matt Pryor, with Nate Davis taking over at RG, or offensive tackle Larry Borom. The Bears opened the 21-day practice window for Borom to return from the injured reserve last week and he was a full participant on Wednesday. The team currently has an open roster spot to activate Borom if needed.
As for left guard, Jenkins was replaced by Bill Murray on Sunday, who also suffered an injury during the game and was later placed on the injured reserve at the beginning of the week. The next available man to take over at left guard would be Doug Kramer Jr. if Jenkins can't play.
As for some good news at the position, the Bears did begin the 21-day practice window for offensive lineman Ryan Bates, who was placed on the injured reserve with shoulder/arm injuries following the season opener.
This definitely sets the unit back a peg to start the week of preparation and is bad news for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams has been sacked 23 times already this season, the third-most in the league through eight weeks.
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The team will need a bounce back performance.
