Fans wanted to see some good things from the offensive line this past month. In fairness, they did. Unfortunately, it wasn't from most of the starters. That is because injuries have been the main story for the Chicago Bears throughout the preseason. Left guard Teven Jenkins suffered a calf injury that could keep him out for a month. This forced Cody Whitehair to shift over to his spot, vacating center. Lucas Patrick was supposed to fill in for him, but he's hurt and hasn't practiced for weeks. Their prized free agent acquisition, Nate Davis, hasn't practiced most of training camp. Now 1st round pick Darnell Wright is ailing with an ankle injury.
It's a mess. Justin Fields hasn't had all five projected starters in front of him for over a month. That isn't what the Bears had planned coming into this off-season. However, not everything is bad news. There was a big bright spot worth noting about the starting offense. That was Braxton Jones. The left tackle looked sharp from the moment he stepped on the field this preseason. He didn't allow a single pressure on the quarterback, showcasing better mechanics and footwork. His run-blocking also appears to have picked up right where it left off from last year.
The Chicago Bears need Jones more than ever.
His steadiness is crucial to things not completely falling apart. One must never underestimate the ability to stay healthy. That might be Jones' superpower, at least compared to his teammates. Jokes aside, the second-year tackle appears to have used his off-season wisely. He looks stronger and more polished. Working with Olin Kreutz seems to have helped his technique and fundamentals. If he takes the second-year leap most young players should, the Bears will be in great shape at left tackle for a long time.
His first test will be a familiar one. Preston Smith and Rashan Gary figure to test how much he's learned in the past year. First round pick Lukas Van Ness also possesses plenty of power, which was Braxton Jones' kryptonite last season. It will be a great sign if he holds up well in a major test for the Bears offense. The good news is that Wright should also be ready to play in two weeks. Davis and Patrick are the two uncertainties. If they return, the offensive line should be mostly intact. Maybe Fields will finally get the protection needed to show everybody what he can do.
