Plenty of things go into determining whether a player and, by extension, his team have a good season. Nothing is more impactful to that end than injuries. One loss in the wrong spot can sink an entire campaign. The Chicago Bears are familiar with this reality, just like every other team. Staying healthy is the toughest challenge in the NFL—the harsh realities of playing a violent sport. Training camp was always going to feature health setbacks. One could only hope they weren’t too severe when they happened.
Sadly, it appears the Bears couldn’t dodge the inevitable. Word has come out of Halas Hall that 2nd round pick Shemar Turner suffered an ankle injury at some point when training camp began. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune revealed how severe it is.
Second-round pick Shemar Turner will be out for some time. The defensive tackle left near the end of the first practice of camp Wednesday with an ankle sprain. The Bears are believed to be bracing for Turner to be sidelined at least a month, which could challenge the Texas A&M product to be ready for the start of the season and almost certainly precludes him from playing in preseason games.
Turner was durable during four seasons in college, playing in 43 games (35 over the last three seasons), and battled through a troublesome shin injury last summer and fall that wound up requiring surgery. So the Bears have to feel pretty good he will bounce back, but the timing is unfortunate. This could force them to ponder placing Turner on injured reserve with a designation to return.
The timing of this is rough.
Chicago already has considerable questions about the depth of their defensive line. Hopes were high that Turner could give them some juice and versatility. Now they will have to wait until probably October before knowing where his progress is.
The Chicago Bears likely have no choice but to seek help.
Turner isn’t the only one on the defensive line banged up. Tanoh Kpassagnon, their recent free agent addition, left Monday’s practice on a cart. Their depth is getting more precarious by the day. If both men are out for an extended period, there is no question that the Chicago Bears brass will hunt for veteran help. The list of options has some notable names. Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Matthew Judon, and Jadeveon Clowney all remain available. Carl Lawson is an outside possibility as well. Much depends on the kind of money the Bears are willing to spend. Any of those names they sign will come in expecting significant playing time. If head coach Dennis Allen would prefer to give Turner work, then signing a reserve option is more probable. Expect a decision by the end of the week.
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