Well, this is not the news anyone in Chicago wanted to hear: Bears offensive tackle Braxton Jones has officially landed on injured reserve. This move, announced on Saturday, means a new left tackle will be protecting the pocket against the Jets this Sunday, and for a good chunk of games after that.
Knee Trouble Puts Jones On The Shelf For Weeks
Jones was ruled out on Friday due to a knee injury, and the team wasted no time making the tough decision to place him on IR just one day later. This isn’t just about missing one game, folks. We’re talking “several other games in the weeks to follow,” which is a huge blow to an offensive line trying to find its rhythm. Theo Benedet is stepping up to start at left tackle for the immediate future, staring down a tough Jets defense right away. Talk about being thrown into the fire.
Depth Chart Shake-Up And Practice Squad Call-Ups
With Jones out, the Bears aren’t just relying on Benedet. Ozzy Trapilo is another name that could factor into the left tackle plans. He closed out last season as the starter, so he’s got experience, though he’s been working his way back from a torn patellar tendon. On top of the offensive line changes, the Bears also made a couple of temporary practice squad elevations, bringing up defensive lineman Marcus Davenport and defensive back Nick McCloud for Sunday’s game. They’ll revert back to the practice squad right after the final whistle.
So, the Bears are heading into Sunday’s game against the Jets with a new man protecting the blind side. How Benedet handles the pressure, and how Trapilo integrates back into the line, will be absolutely critical as they navigate these next several weeks without Jones. This is a huge test for that offensive line’s depth.
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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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