Bears coach Matt Eberflus didn’t even try to play coy with his offensive line combination for Sunday’s game against the Rams.
“Our offensive line will be intact the way we had it last week,” Eberflus announced Friday, a declaration he hopes will lead to offensive line continuity that has been elusive in his three seasons as head coach.
Though right tackle Darnell Wright (back) and left tackle Braxton Jones (knee) were limited in practice earlier in the week, both practiced in full Friday. So the lineup against the Colts stays the same for the Rams: Jones, left guard Teven Jenkins, center Coleman Shelton, right guard Matt Pryor and Wright.
Wright tweaked his back injury last week against the Colts. He did not practice Wednesday, was limited Thursday and practiced in full Friday.
“Darnell battled his [butt] off in that game,” offensive line coach Chris Morgan said. “He’s doing everything he can do and he’s gonna keep getting better. I know — I know believe — that his ceiling is way up there and he’s gonna reach it.”
With veteran Ryan Bates on injured reserve with shoulder and elbow injuries (and not eligible to return until Oct. 13 against the Jaguars London), the Bears depth is shorter. Rookie Kiran Amegadjie, a third-round draft pick, worked at both left and right tackle this week.
After a slow recovery from a quad injury he suffered last year at Yale, Amegadie is getting closer to being an option if needed.
“He’s getting better every day,” Morgan said. “He’s athletic. For a young player coming off that injury, missing all offseason, missing all camp as far as a full-go standpoint … he’s hit the ground running. Not banking those reps, it’s not what you want. But he’s done a really good job now. He’s smart. He’s a competitor. He’s got physical tools. We’re excited about where Kiran has come.”
Injury update
Wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel), defensive tackle Andrew Billings (knee) and safety Kevin Byard (back) are questionable for Sunday.
Back-up cornerback Terrell Smith (hip), rotational defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (groin) and back-up tight end Stephen Carlson (collarbone) are out. Carlson suffered his injury on a catch late in Thursday’s practice and could go to injured reserve.
Wide receiver Rome Odunze (hip) and fullback Khari Blasingame (hand/knee), who were limited Thursday, practiced in full Friday and have no injury designation.
Byard has never missed a game in his seven-year NFL career. “We’re hopeful with him,” Eberflus said.
Billings good to go
Billings, who did not practice Thursday and was limited Friday, said he will play against the Rams.
“I’m feeling good,” said Billings, who has one tackle for loss, two pressures and one forced fumble in three games this season. “My leg got caught up in somebody’s feet and I got turned the wrong way. I’m ready to go.”
Running in place
The Bears are 31st in rushing yards per game (72.7) and rushing average (3.0) after three games. They were second in yards (141.1) and sixth in average (4.5) in 2023 (177.3) and first in yards (177.3) and average (5.4) in 2022 under Luke Getsy, with Justin Fields at quarterback.
“There’s been flashes,” offensive coordinator Shane Waldron said. “We’ve done a great job in our practice reps. We’ve done a great job in our preseason reps. But the reality is we haven’t performed to our standards in games right now. For us that goes back to fundamentals, our techniques. The players have done a great job taking full ownership of their role and responsibility on each play.”