Offensive line injuries shake up Chicago Bears training camp

Training camp is well underway. With as each practice the intensity rises, and competition becomes more grueling. Sometimes it can get too intense, especially since the pads haven’t even been introduced.

The Chicago Bears are only three practices into training camp and there have already been multiple injuries. The most notable injury came during the second day of practice. Center Lucas Patrick walked off the field with a hand injury.

At first, it was reported to not seem like a serious injury due to the lack of urgency and calmness Patrick showed as he walked over to a trainer, and eventually to the locker room.

However, it was later confirmed that Patrick had broken his thumb. This is a huge blow for the Bears, since this is Patrick’s first season in Chicago, and this offseason was going to be huge as far as building team chemistry and learning the new system.

This injury almost certainly sidelines Patrick for the rest of training camp. There isn’t an official timetable for a return, but it is expected that Patrick will be ready just in time for the season.

Teven Jenkins is another lineman who has been in the news as of late. Jenkins was absent for the Bears practice on both Thursday and Friday without a specific reason. Coach Matt Eberflus addressed the situation after practice on Friday stating that Jenkins is “working through something with the trainers”.

Injuries to multiple offensive linemen early in camp allowed many Chicago Bears rookies to show what they’ve got.

Eberflus also called the Jenkins situation, “day-to-day”. With no idea what the injury is that Jenkins is dealing with, we are going to have to take Eberflus’ word for it.

Longtime Bear Cody Whitehair also received a veteran’s day off on Friday. With three key contributors to the offensive line out on Friday, many of the rookies saw increased reps during team segments.

Rookies Doug Kramer and Ja’Tyre Carter benefitted most from the situation, both seeing a lot of work with the first team. Zach Thomas, Larry Borom, and Michael Schofield also saw an increase in reps on Friday.

Surprisingly, Doug Kramer took the majority of the first team reps at center after Lucas Patrick went down with his injury. Many would’ve thought Sam Mustipher would be the next man up, considering he started 17 games for the Bears in 2021.

It’s only been three days of practice so far at Halas Hall, but there have already been more injuries than the Bears would have liked. Hopefully the Bears can start to limit the injuries so the team can build some chemistry in preparation for the regular season.