REPORT: Teven Jenkins Likely Out For Long Stretch With Injury

The Chicago Bears' offensive line has struggled for the past several years. There are a variety of reasons for this. Talent is an obvious one. Inconsistent coaching is another. However, by far the biggest offender is healthy. They've had a hard time putting blockers in place that can stay on the field. None are a greater poster boy for this reality than Teven Jenkins. He missed most of his rookie season with back problems in 2021. Then last year, he missed multiple games with various ailments. It was hoped he'd moved past that this year.

Sadly, that isn't the case. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the starting left guard suffered a left leg injury at some point during the past couple of weeks. The Bears have been quiet on injuries all summer, but it's apparent to his sources that Jenkins will miss significant time. Perhaps the entire first month of the season. This is a rough blow for the offense. He is one of their best blockers when on the field. Now they'll have to figure out how to do without him.

"That lineup could require an adjustment when their Week 1 meeting with the Green Bay Packers arrives on Sept. 10 at Soldier Field. Multiple sources told the Tribune that left guard Teven Jenkins could miss time in the first month with a leg injury.

The Bears have been particularly guarded with injury information and did not reveal why Jenkins briefly missed time earlier in training camp. He did not play in Saturday’s 24-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, but coach Matt Eberflus elected to rest nearly all of his first-team players."

The Bears' plans for Teven Jenkins have likely changed.

Up until now, Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus have expressed hope that Jenkins could become a long-term fixture on the offensive line. He has the ability to be great. The problem is the best ability is availability. That is the one thing he doesn't have. He missed 11 games as a rookie, four games last year, and could miss four or five games this season, depending on the injury's severity. That won't make the brass happy. If guard wasn't high on the priority list for next year's NFL draft, it is almost sure to be now.

Chicago has two courses of action they could embark on. The most logical would be replacing Teven Jenkins with either Lucas Patrick or Ja'Tyre Carter. Patrick is a veteran and has experience at guard. Carter, meanwhile, has played quite well in the preseason. The Bears seem confident in his development. If neither option appeals to them, they could make a push to sign veteran Dalton Risner who remains available on the free agent market. While not a star by any means, he's a reliable veteran with lots of experience at left guard.