Battle at right guard still on for Bears’ Nate Davis, Ryan Bates

Bears coach Matt Eberflus indicated the rotation between Nate Davis and Ryan Bates at right guard will continue this week. Davis started against the Titans on Sunday at Soldier Field, but played only 18 of the 56 offensive snaps. Bates played the other 38, including most of the second half.

Davis graded higher (73.7 to Bates’ 59.6), according to Pro Football Focus, for whatever that’s worth.

“We’re gonna look at it this week and we’ll see where it is,” Eberflus said. “Both guys have played guard a long time and both are proficient at the job. We’re gonna let that play out.”

Center of attention

Coleman Shelton’s tough opener might figure into the Davis-Bates situation. Shelton had three noticeable misplays, including a whiff that led to quarterback Caleb Williams getting sacked by Titans end Sebastian Joseph-Day for a 19-yard loss in the first quarter.

Bates opened camp competing with Shelton for the starting center job before getting injured. When he returned, Davis was out and he filled in at right guard.

Kmet’s role limited

Tight end Cole Kmet played just 27 of 56 snaps (48%) against the Titans in the first game in Shane Waldron’s offense — his lowest percentage of game snaps when healthy since Week 7 of his rookie season.

Newcomer Gerald Everett, who was the primary tight end in Waldron’s offense with the Seahawks in 2021, played 34 snaps (61%). Marcedes Lewis played nine.

Kmet, a valuable blocker and receiver since his rookie season, had played 88.1% of the offensive snaps the previous three seasons until a quad injury limited him against the Cardinals and Falcons in Weeks 16-17 last season.

“I think we just have another tight end that is a good option, to be able to change and adjust the matchups that the defense has to use,” Eberflus said.