The Chicago Bears 2021 draft class might finally be coming together with the regular season approaching the second half. Larry Borom, their 5th round pick, returned from a high ankle sprain to start against the San Francisco 49ers. All things considered? He didn’t look too bad. He may soon have company. This in the form of 2nd round pick Teven Jenkins, who has worked to recover from back surgery he had back in August.
Veteran left tackle Jason Peters said the rookie tackle was a couple of weeks away from a possible return to practice after the Buccaneers game. Evidence began to creep up shortly after that, showing photos of Jenkins doing light work on the sidelines during practice and helping run certain drills. Now he was spotted going through stretches on Heinz Field prior to the Bears’ big Monday night battle with the Steelers. A good indication that his return is imminent.
#Bears rookie OL Teven Jenkins doing some stretching on the field under the watch of strength coach Jason Loscalzo. Have to imagine there is a chance, maybe a good one, the 21-day practice window for evaluation with him on the PUP list begins before the Baltimore game.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) November 8, 2021
Here’s Bears rookie offensive tackle Teven Jenkins working out.
He’s in the middle of a long rehab following back surgery. pic.twitter.com/tJgnPjrpUv
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) November 8, 2021
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The timing would make sense.
Following the Pittsburgh game, the Bears will have their bye week. That gives Teven Jenkins two full weeks to prepare for a possible return to action against Baltimore in Week 11. He probably won’t start right away. Not with Peters looking solid at left tackle and Borom getting the work on the right side. Instead, the team may look to insert him as an extra blocker on field goals, extra points, and running plays.
Back injuries can be tricky for offensive linemen to return from. Chicago wouldn’t want to get him on the field unless they’re 100% certain he’s fully healed. All indications are his surgery was a total success. It was a matter of how his body rehabbed. Based on this latest info, he could be back in the mix before November is over. That would give the team a great opportunity to see what they have in the rookie as they prepare for the 2022 offseason.
Teven Jenkins is a huge mystery piece of the Bears’ puzzle
Right now it is obvious the team needs to do some serious work on their offense. Harldy a surprise when you rank 32nd in the NFL. The offensive line is a major talking point. It hasn’t performed too well this season. Will it have to be a focus next offseason? That depends a lot on what they may or may not have in Jenkins and Borom. Both came in with a considerable talent but haven’t yet been able to showcase it due to health setbacks.
Getting a chance to play some games down the stretch is huge. Both for their development and also evaluation purposes. If they flash the capability to start? It means the Bears might not have to be too aggressive in their search for O-line help. They could instead focus on wide receivers and perhaps another tight end. Or they can look to reload what is an aging defense.
Much of this hinges on Jenkins.
It is clear he’s a big part of the Bears’ plans. There is a reason they traded up to get him last April. They believe in his talent. Somebody who can be a bookend blocker for Justin Fields for the next several years. He has to prove it though. That time is almost at hand.
