Bears Teven Jenkins on fast track to return
The Chicago Bears had a pleasant appearance at their walk-through practice on Monday, signaling the return of one of their starting offensive players. Left guard Teven Jenkins was officially back and was listed as a full participant during the team's first "practice" of the week. The Bears announced they have designed Jenkins' return from the […]
The Chicago Bears had a pleasant appearance at their walk-through practice on Monday, signaling the return of one of their starting offensive players.
Left guard Teven Jenkins was officially back and was listed as a full participant during the team's first "practice" of the week.
The Bears announced they have designed Jenkins' return from the injured reserve, opening his 21-day practice window.
Given his full participation, Bears fans should expect to see their former second-round pick back on the field sooner than later.
“We’re excited where he is,” head coach Matt Eberflus said last week. “We’ll see. Obviously they’re working through that process. But we’re excited where he is.”
Jenkins was placed on the injured reserve with a calf injury before the start of the season and has missed all four games in 2023. The injury forced the Bears to move around the pieces of their offensive line with center Cody Whitehair moving to left guard and Lucas Patrick stepping in at center for the first four weeks.
The two have struggled with their adjusting to their new duties, however. Whitehair has posted a sub-60.0 offensive PFF grade in every game this season and had a 28.4 pass blocking grade in Week 2. The same goes for Patrick, although he's had a slightly more consistent season as a pass blocker.
Quarterback Justin Fields has been sacked 17 times through four games and desperately needs some help up-front. Jenkins' return should provide some relief and a sense of familiarity going forward this season.
Jenkins was one of the Bears most consistent offensive linemen in 2022. He posted 75.0+ offensive PFF grades in six games last season and was graded as solid run throughout the entire season.
The Bears will have 20 days to activate Jenkins to the active roster or else he will return to the injured reserve for the remainder of the season. With a short week ahead, it's unlikely that we'll see Jenkins suit up against the Washington Commanders. However, the Bears Week 6 home game against the Minnesota Vikings should be the expected day of his official return to action.
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