Good news arrived on Monday for the Chicago Bears. After some careful evaluations over the past couple of weeks, the team felt comfortable making it official. Rookie offensive tackle Teven Jenkins would return to practice months after having back surgery. He now has three weeks to get up to speed and show the team he is ready to play. Head coach Matt Nagy certainly sounded optimistic after delivering the news.
The most interesting part in all of this? If Jenkins had his way, he probably would’ve returned sooner. Nagy revealed that the Bears coaches and training staff have had to sort of rein the 2nd round pick in, making sure not to rush him through the process of rehab and recovery. Even though the kid must be feeling pretty good and wants to play, they have a responsibility to make sure he doesn’t risk another injury.
It is encouraging to hear stuff like this.
From both angles. Jenkins wanting to play offers a good perspective on where his mind is at. He thinks he is ready to go and wants to get out on that field. Especially after missing so much time. The guy loves to play ball and must’ve felt helpless not being able to help his team through their offensive struggles early in the season. At the same time, the organization made the right decision by holding him back.
While everybody wants to see the rookie play, one can’t forget that back injuries are tricky in the NFL. Particularly for offensive linemen. Chris Williams, the Bears’ 1st round pick in 2008, had a herniated disc in his back as a rookie. He returned that same season and later admitted that may have been a mistake. He should’ve waited longer to make sure everything was right. The team isn’t going to let Jenkins make that same mistake.
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Teven Jenkins has talent but now he doesn’t have a clear role
Going into training camp, the Bears had a plan for him. With Charles Leno Jr. out of the picture, they wanted to insert the rookie at left tackle. Then the back problem emerged. As he stepped away to deal with it, the team found out that fellow rookie Larry Borom had a ton of potential on the left side. That along with the arrival of Jason Peters seemed to muddy the waters for what Jenkins would do when he returned.
If anything the issue has only gotten more confusing since then. Peters remains entrenched at left tackle while Borom has stepped in for the injured Germain Ifedi on the right side. He’s played pretty well too. With neither man seemingly in danger of losing their spots, where does that leave Teven Jenkins? Do the Bears stick to their original plan of him at left tackle or do they shift him back to the right side with eventual plans to move Borom back?
Some have even suggested kicking him inside to guard.
It is a problem but a good one from the Bears’ perspective. They’re getting back a talented, young blocker. One they have a strong belief in. If he’s been putting in the work to get his body right and done his homework along the way? There is no doubt he should be able to contribute in some fashion before the season concludes.
