The final training camp practice for the Chicago Bears in front of their fans at Halas Hall just took a sharp turn, with starting right tackle Darnell Wright exiting practice with trainers, flexing his right arm. This is a gut punch, considering it’s the same arm he injured last season, and everyone’s holding their breath for good news. But before that major concern, cornerback Jaylon Johnson pulled the team together for a meeting, laying down the hard truth: the practice wasn’t good enough. It was a direct, no-nonsense call for accountability, and it absolutely got through. Tight end Cole Kmet confirmed it post-practice, saying, “I thought it ended up being one of our better practices through camp so far.” That’s the kind of leadership that changes the vibe, even as injury scares loom large.
The Injury Bug Bites Hard, But Hope Returns
Wright’s arm issue is definitely the headliner, but he wasn’t the only one leaving with trainers today. Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. also walked off injured, which is even spicier because he was at the center of a trade rumor today. Tight end Hayden Large got sidelined with a left arm problem, and cornerback Dontae Manning didn’t return after exiting practice either. Add these fresh injuries to the existing list: running back Kyle Monangai is still week-to-week, new defensive end Marcus Davenport wasn’t practicing, and Austin Booker, who missed Saturday’s game in Cincinnati, was also out. This is a lineup of key guys dealing with issues, and it’s gotta be a concern for head coach Ben Johnson as they head towards their preseason finale.
But hey, it wasn’t all bad news on the injury front! Safety Elijah Hicks and rookie linebacker Keyshaun Elliott both got activated from the PUP list and got some work in, which is a big win for depth. Quarterback Tyson Bagent returned after missing last week with a hamstring issue, which is great for the QB room. And the secondary got a boost with cornerback Tyrique Stevenson back in team drills, starting right alongside Johnson. Backup corners Terell Smith and Jaylon Jones also returned, though they didn’t jump into team drills, and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo was suited up for individual work. Every bit of health helps, especially right now.
Emerging Talent and a Crucial Week Ahead
Amidst the injury shuffle, some new faces are making their mark. Rookie defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg was spotted working with the starters, which is a huge look for him. With Booker out, Jamree Kromah stepped up and got some work with the ones, and defensive lineman James Lynch also spent time with the first team. On the offensive line, while Ben Johnson admitted they’re still trying to figure out the left tackle spot, Braxton Jones was with the ones for most of the day. Brad Biggs even noted that Jones did a nice job in the 9-on-7 period, with an emphasis to run to his side leading to three good gains for D’Andre Swift. With Wright out, Theo Benedet slid in with the ones at right tackle, and Cam Lewis took most of the safety reps next to rookie Dillon Thieneman.
This team now faces a light workout tomorrow before a joint practice with the Tennessee Titans on Thursday. Then, it’s the preseason closer against those same Titans on Saturday. After today’s strong finish to practice, the next few days are absolutely critical to see who’s healthy, who’s stepping up, and if this team can carry the momentum from that “one of our better practices” into a strong finish before the regular season kicks off. Keep an eye on that Darnell Wright news, everyone; it’s the biggest question mark hanging over Halas Hall right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply