The Chicago Bears didn’t make any meaningful additions to their defensive end room. General manager Ryan Poles said the primary reason was to give the guys they added last year a real chance to build on what they started. That meant Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner. Both exited last season with injuries. Odeyingbo tore his Achilles and Turner his ACL. People aren’t sure what to expect from them since returning from those ailments can be difficult. Early signs are a mixed bag.
Head coach Ben Johnson was asked about the two players during this week’s mandatory minicamps. He stated that Odeyingbo’s progress is ahead of schedule. He is back practicing with the team, working himself back into top shape. The same can’t be said for Turner. Johnson didn’t offer many details, but his clipped response didn’t bode well for the former 2nd-round pick’s status. It sounds like the Bears are hopeful that he can get back by the start of training camp in July, but aren’t confident.
The Bears were banking a lot on Shemar Turner.
They took him in the 2nd round for a reason. Poles and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen saw a player with size, power, and aggression who should’ve made for a stout run defender and a versatile pass rusher. Yet the evidence available from last year indicated he was neither. This isn’t a condemnation of Turner. Lots of players don’t find their identity as rookies. Unfortunately, tearing his ACL at such a crucial part of his developmental phase is brutal timing. Johnson seems to hint that the recovery process hasn’t gone as smoothly as hoped.
He tore the ligament against the Baltimore Ravens on October 26th of last season. Presuming he had surgery in early November, which was the indication by the team, that means he is about seven months into his recovery. That falls directly in the 6-9 month window typical for this injury. He should at least be doing drills and conditioning by now. The fact that there is no word on anything with him is a red flag. Setting the timeline for training camp is a clear indication that the team hasn’t yet seen the progress it wants.
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We’ll likely get an answer on where he is right before camp.
That will be the moment of truth for the Bears. If they add a notable name at defensive end via free agent, it’s a glaring sign that Shemar Turner is nowhere near ready. Remember, the team added no significant bodies to the mix this offseason. It was a clear gamble on their part that Turner and Odeyingbo would be back. The latter is already well on his way. Turner was injured right around the same time. For him to be nowhere close is not something that can be ignored forever.
Other teams are also asking themselves the same question. There is a strong possibility that the bigger names like Cameron Jordan and Jadeveon Clowney will be scooped up within the next month. The Bears can’t afford to linger on this issue forever. At some point, their medical staff will have to make a judgment call. If they feel Turner isn’t close enough for a return, Poles must move quickly to bring in someone they can rely on to be ready for opening day. It is unfortunate for Turner, but that is the cruel nature of the NFL.
