Braxton Jones, the overwhelming favorite to win the Bears’ starting left tackle job, left Thursday’s practice with trainer Andre Tucker after getting hurt during one-on-one drills against defensive end Austin Booker.
A frustrated Jones ripped off his own helmet and threw it into the shrubs in front of the back entry to Halas Hall before pacing for about five minutes. He appeared to be stretching his left leg. He then walked through the back door with Tucker. Jones lined up against Booker on consecutive reps; after the first, the two stayed entangled for a few seconds, leaving Jones frustrated. It’s unclear whether he was hurt during the play or the brief skirmish.
Later in practice, defensive end Montez Sweat left the field with a trainer. It was unclear why.
Two Bears suffered ugly injuries: safety Gervarrius Owens was carted off the field after hurting his leg during special teams drills. Chicago-born cornerback Dallis Flowers appeared to hurt his left leg. Coach Ben Johnson and players checked on him before he left with a trainer. Both appeared to be in considerable pain.
Less than two hours earlier, Johnson said he was hoping for some “clarity” at the left tackle position by the middle of next week. All signs pointed toward Jones becoming the starter — he’s been playing the most with the starting group, with Jedrick Wills and Kiran Amegadjie working in at times. Amegadjie took Jones’ place Thursday.
“I mean, this is not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination,” Johnson said. “We’re going to continue to cycle guys through.”
The Bears would like to know their starter at the position as soon as possible after trying to figure out the left tackle spot all throughout last training camp.
“But we’ll go as long as we need to,” Johnson said. “And even if that means into the season, we’ll do whatever it takes.”
That’s what happened last year. Jones began the season at left tackle before being replaced by Theo Benedet. Ozzy Trapilo, a second-round pick, emerged as the starter toward the end of the season before hurting his patellar tendon in the Bears’ playoff win against the Packers. Rather than start Jones against the Rams, the Bears moved guard Joe Thuney to tackle.
The Bears re-signed Jones and added Wills, a former first-round pick, both on one-year deals.