Braxton

Jones

Jones is going to undergo further tests, but according to Rapoport, the belief is Jones only fractured his fibula as opposed to his fibula and tibia. It’s a tough end to the season for Jones, who started all 12 games he appeared in this season after being limited to 11 games in 2023 due to a hamstring injury. Jones played one of his best seasons as a pro, allowing a career-low 19 pressures while surrendering five sacks and earning a PFF pass-blocking grade of 80.8 — a career-best. Rapoport reports that Jones faces a four-month recovery but should be back “long before training camp.”

Jones went midway through the second quarter. He stayed on the field for a while to be checked out by trainers before riding the cart to the locker room. Jones gave the crowd a thumbs up on his way out, though he’s obviously done for the day. Left guard Teven Jenkins is also doubtful to return with a calf injury. As if things needed to get worse for the trailing Bears, they are now down to backups on the left side of their line.

As is left tackle Braxton Jones, who had nearly cleared the league’s concussion protocol on Friday but was assigned a questionable tag. With both linemen active, the Bears avoided a nightmare scenario for their struggling rookie quarterback.

Backup interior lineman Ryan Bates was ruled out while starting left tackle Braxton Jones is questionable. Stop us if you’ve heard this before. The Bears could be down multiple starters along the offensive line this week.

The good news is that starting tackles Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones have been cleared for Week 11. Both tackles missed Week 10 with knee injuries. Jenkins left that game with an ankle injury and did not return. He did not practice at any point this week.

Joining Jones on the upcoming inactives list are RT Darnell Wright (knee), backup LT Kiran Amegadjie (calf) and S Jaquan Brisker (concussion). The Patriots’ pass rush is among the league’s worst so the Bears’ passing game should theoretically be able to manage the situation. HC Matt Eberflus is running out of excuses. Star EDGE Montez Sweat (shin) and starting slot CB Kyler Gordon (hamstring) will play though.

Backup left tackle Kiran Amegadjie is also out while left guard Teven Jenkins, who is dealing with a knee issue should be able to play through his questionable tag. Larry Borom, who is eligible to come off injured reserve this week, would start at left tackle if available. It’s a nightmare scenario for Caleb Williams, who cratered to 131 scoreless yards last week. He will tumble into the QB2 ranks versus Arizona.

Jones played on just 18 snaps in the Bears’ Week 8 loss before leaving the field. After undergoing further evaluation on the injury, Jones’ injury is not thought to be serious, and the third-year tackle “may miss a week or two.” Jones has allowed just one sack on 18 pressures this season while playing on 266 passing plays. His PFF pass-blocking grade of 73.1 ranks 28th amongst all tackles (min. 300 total snaps). Kiran Amegadjie took over for Jones and would draw the start in Week 9 against the Cardinals if Jones cannot go.

The Bears go into Week 3 against the Chiefs without their starting left guard or left tackle. It’s a nightmare scenario for Justin Fields and the dead-on-arrival Chicago offense against a solid Kansas City pass rush. Fields so far this season has been pressured in 47 percent of his dropbacks, the third highest rate in the NFL.

Former second-rounder Teven Jenkins was working with the twos. Larry Borom was starting at right tackle. In news that perhaps will not be very surprising to you, reader, Bears beat Dan Widerer reported that: “Offense overall has been significantly bumpy during practices open to media.” The Bears have done little this offseason to build on the non-existent momentum that Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy had generated, and now seriously appear to be considering starting a fifth-round rookie at left tackle.