Elijah

Wilkinson

It’s an extremely quiet list for Michael Penix Jr.'s starting debut.

Week 7 will mark the first time this season the Cardinals will play with a new combo of five offensive linemen after the team had been blessed with continuity up front so far this year. Wilkinson popped on the injury report on Thursday with a neck injury, indicating he might have picked up the injury in Wednesday’s session. No word yet on who is likeliest to fill the void up front along the line.

The Falcons could have some issues at guard with Wilkinson out, but they look otherwise healthy on offense, relatively speaking. Faving David Blough at quarterback, they are likely to play conservatively. However, the Cardinals have injury issues at cornerback, so they should be fairly efficient through the air this week.

Wilkinson missed practice Thursday and Friday for what the team is calling a personal matter. Signed in March, Wilkinson started each of the first two weeks at left guard. Colby Gossett will likely get the nod at that spot with Wilkinson out.

A longtime top Broncos reserve, Wilkinson made only one start his lone year in Chicago. Still only 27 with experience at both tackle and guard, Wilkinson should have pretty good odds of cracking the 53-man roster in Atlanta and serving as the “first man off the bench” along the line.

The Bears hope “to have him back this season,” but losing Jenkins, who was the presumed starter, is a big loss for Chicago. The Bears traded up in the second round of this year’s draft to select Jenkins, who profiled as an immediate starter. His back surgery now scrambles the offensive line plan on what was already viewed as a sub-par unit. Chicago will now likely turn to Elijah Wilkinson and fifth-round rookie Larry Borom. It’s possible however, that their starting left tackle is not currently on the roster.

Wilkinson made 26 starts for the Broncos over the past four seasons. He spent a large chunk of 2020 on injured reserve with a leg injury. Always more of a body than an asset, Wilkinson will try to make the Bears’ 53-man roster as the No. 3 or 4 tackle.

It’s the first visit of free agency for Wilkinson, who finished last year on IR. Wilkinson allowed two sacks in seven 2020 starts and has graded negatively in pass blocking at ProFootballFocus as a starter the past three seasons. The 26-year-old may have to settle for a non-guaranteed contract.

Wilkinson is Denver’s fifth starter and 11th player to be placed on injured reserve since the season opener. Suddenly short the backup tackle who had replaced Ja’Wuan James (opt out), the Broncos will move forward with Bucs castoff Demar Dotson protecting the right side of the line. Between players that are eligible to return and those lost for the year, Denver’s injury list currently includes 24 individuals.

“It’s up to Elijah to lose it,” Fangio said. “As long as Elijah is playing the way we think he’s capable of playing, he’ll be the right tackle.” Wilkinson entered camp on the team’s active/PUP list but has since been removed and practicing as the team’s starting right tackle. Demar Dotson, who was signed as insurance following Ja’Wuan James’ opt out, would be the pivot if Wilkinson fails in that role. The latter started 12 games in place of James last year, permitting eight sacks as a swinging gate in those contests,