The Chicago Bears offense has already endured so many setbacks due to injuries this season. One of their few bright spots was Teven Jenkins. The former 2nd round pick overcame an early off-season benching in the summer to become their starting right guard by September. Since then, he’d established himself as the best blocker on the team. Olin Kreutz even said he saw Pro Bowl capability in the young man. Fans were excited about where his potential could take him with more experience.
So naturally, he exited the Philadelphia Eagles game in the 1st quarter on a stretcher. That is the kind of luck the Bears have these days. Many feared Jenkins’ career was in jeopardy. He already has a history of back injuries. The last thing he could afford was another one. The team declared him out with a neck problem. It didn’t look good. However, former NFL doctor David Chao suggested the injury might not be as severe as first feared. Head coach Matt Eberflus has since confirmed that diagnosis. Jenkins has returned to Halas Hall with full control of his extremities. There is no indication he is done for the season.
Teven Jenkins can still be part of the big picture.
Given where things stand, it’s a reasonable assumption the Bears will hold him out this week. There is no sense in him aggravating that injury. It might be better to give him a week off and get him back for the road trip to Detroit. Then again Jenkins is no stranger to playing with pain. If he practices well over the next few days, it might convince coaches to let him go. After all, Justin Fields needs protection. He was sacked six times by Philadelphia, and Buffalo figures to be an equally big challenge.
All anybody can do is say a silent thanks the injury wasn’t more severe. Teven Jenkins has a chance to produce a bright career in Chicago. He’d be the first offensive lineman to do so since Kyle Long, and his career was cut short by injuries. It’s been a prevailing theme for this franchise going back a decade. Even when they draft good blockers, none of them seem able to stay healthy. Jenkins is eager to show people he can be one of the best. For that to happen, he must stay on the field.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
