A week after the Bears reached a continuity landmark on their offensive line, they’re preparing for more change.
Left tackle Braxton Jones, who left last week’s game against the Commanders with a knee injury, was among three players ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Safety Jaquan Brisker (concussion) and rookie tackle Kiran Amegadjie (calf) also are out.
Defensive end Montez Sweat (shin), who was gashed by a Commanders player’s spike but did not need stitches, is questionable but expected to play.
Cornerback Kyler Gordon (hamstring), who missed last week’s game, is questionable and hopeful of playing against the Cardinals.
The offensive line will be a focus with Jones and Amegadjie out and starting left guard Teven Jenkins (knee) questionable. Bears coach Matt Eberflus was hopeful Jenkins would play against the Cardinals. Jenkins practiced on a limited basis Friday.
“He looks good out there, feels good,” Eberflus said.
Still, there is sure to be change on the line with Jones out. The Bears’ combination of Jones, Jenkins, center Coleman Shelton, right guard Matt Pryor and right tackle Darnell Wright had started the previous five games — the longest stretch of consecutive starts in Eberflus’ two-plus seasons as head coach.
With Amegadjie also out, veteran Larry Borom, who is in his second week of a 21-day window to be activated off injured reserve (high ankle sprain), is the likely starter at left tackle for Jones, though he also is questionable.
Borom, a 2021 second-round draft pick, has not played since the final preseason game against the Chiefs on Aug. 22, when he was injured after 10 snaps. Borom played 59 snaps in the preseason, none of them with the current starters.
Center/guard Ryan Bates, who is in his first week in the 21-day window to be activated off injured reserve, is questionable. “Ryan’s first day back in there moving around was [Friday], so we’ll see where it goes,” Eberflus said.
The Bears also have the option of moving Pryor from right guard to left tackle, with former starter Nate Davis at right guard. But Borom is the first option.
“Larry’s been working there. We feel really good about that,” Eberflus said. “We want to make sure we’re not moving multiple spots.”
Borom, who has started 23 games in his three seasons — six or more in each season — said he’s healthy and ready to start, despite his inactivity.
“I’ll be ready,” he said.
Gordon eager, and cautious
Gordon, who had never had a hamstring injury before, is encouraged by his progress, but knows he has to be smart about the injury, which has a history of re-injury.
“Definitely — a hundred percent,” he said. “I wanted to be [back in] there the day after. It’s definitely tough being smart and then being eager. Just trying to figure out the inbetween — not pushing it over the limit, but definitely testing it out. I want to be back on the field as fast as possible. I hate being out. I want to be out there and make plays and have fun with my brothers.”
Brisker still symptomatic
Brisker has been participating in meetings and even walk-throughs, but is still having symptoms nearly four weeks after suffering the concussion against the Panthers on Oct. 6. He missed two games in 2022 and 2023 with a concussion. Still, Eberflus is expecting him to return.
“He’s made progress,” Eberflus said. “Jaquan brings a lot of passion and energy to our team and certainly to our defense. He was having a really good year leading up to this. His health and safety is first and we want to make sure we do a good job with that first. And then he’ll bring back that passion and energy like he always does.”