People talk about the Chicago Bears quarterback position being cursed. Maybe they should start mentioning the offensive line more often. This team has yet to field their entire intended starting five in 2023. At least one guy has been out for an extended period of time. First, it was Teven Jenkins with a calf problem. Then it was Braxton Jones with a neck, and he was followed by Nate Davis suffering a high ankle sprain. If that misery weren't bad enough, news from Halas Hall somehow made it worse.
Rookie right tackle Darnell Wright, their best all-around blocker this season, was limited on Wednesday with a shoulder problem. A day later, he was downgraded to DNP (did not practice). That is never a good sign for a player's availability before a game. While Wright did go through warmups, this raises fears that he won't be able to go against the Las Vegas Raiders. That means the Bears would be down their starting left tackle, right guard, and right tackle. All of this as rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent prepares to make his first start.
Talk about rotten luck.
The Chicago Bears are devastated by injuries.
Problems aren't limited to the offensive line. Eddie Jackson is once again dealing with a foot problem. Backup center/guard Dan Feeney is down with a knee injury. Justin Fields is already expected not to play with his dislocated thump. Roschon Johnson still hasn't returned from the concussion he suffered against Washington. Last but not least, rookie cornerback Terell Smith has mono. The Bears already struggled to win games when they were marginally healthy a few weeks ago. Now it seems like the deck keeps stacking against them.
Their only solace is Las Vegas has problems of their own. Jimmy Garoppolo is out for the game with a back injury. That said, their team is still far healthier. If the Chicago Bears don't have Wright available, it means a backup will get to face star pass rusher Maxx Crosby, who already has 5.5 sacks this season. No doubt he's licking his chops at the idea of going after a rookie QB. It will take a masterful coaching job from Matt Eberflus and his staff to pull a win out of this one.
