Bears left guard Teven Jenkins, who played only 11 snaps against the Rams last week because of bruised ribs, is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Panthers at Soldier Field. Wide receiver DeAndre Carter also is questionable with a rib injury.
Jenkins was limited in practice Friday, but coach Matt Eberflus was optimistic about his availability for the Panthers game. “He looked good. He’s progressing in the right direction. It’s just pain management.”
Right guard Matt Pryor replaced Jenkins against the Rams, with Nate Davis coming off the bench to play in Pryor’s spot.
The offensive line has been a focus of the offense’s slow start in Shane Waldron’s first year as offensive coordinator. Every Week 1 starter except center Coleman Shelton has played through an injury — left tackle Braxton Jones (knee), Jenkins (groin), right guard Davis (groin) and right tackle Darnell Wright (back).
The Bears have altered their offensive line combination seven times already in four games. That is one reason why the line has yet to find a groove, though the Bears rushed for 131 yards on 28 carries against the Rams was “a big step in the right direction,” Eberflus said.
The Bears are healthier than most NFL teams heading into Week 5. Rotational defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (groin) and reserve cornerback Terell Smith (hip) are out. But the other players limited in practice this week are ready to go — defensive end Montez Sweat (ankle), defensive tackle Gervon Dexter (hip) and tight end Cole Kmet (knee).
The Panthers will be without two starting linebackers: Shaq Thompson (Achilles) and Josey Jewell (hamstring/groin).
Amegadjie a step closer
Bears rookie offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie, from Hinsdale Central High, made his NFL debut against the Rams with four plays on the field-goal unit. They drafted him out of Yale in the third-round at No. 75 overall hoping he could one day be a factor at tackle, though he missed significant time leading up to the season because of a quad injury.
Nonetheless, Amegadjie is healthy now and progressing toward getting snaps on offense.
“It was a good opportunity to get on the field and get some experience,” he said of his debut. “It was the next step in my journey, and I’ve just got to keep getting better, and my opportunity will come when it’s the right time. Just doing everything I can to be ready and contribute any way I can.”
Plugging a leak
The Bears led the NFL in rushing defense last season (86.4 yards per game), but are 19th through four games this season (121.0). Defensive tackle Andrew Billings — the starting point for the run defense, takes his share of the responsibility for that decline.
“For me specifically, it’s gap integrity,” Billing said. “Staying in my gap, not biting on the running backs so hard. I think [Jonathan Taylor] got me a few times with the Colts [29-yard touchdown, 21-yard run]. Great running back. That’s not an excuse. So I have to stay in my gap. That’s one thing I’m gonna clean up. That’ll help a lot.”
The Ex-Bear Factor
Andy Dalton, who played in eight games with six starts for the Bears in 2021, will face his former team Sunday at Soldier Field.
The last former Bears quarterback to beat the Bears was the Buccaneers’ Brian Griese in 2008. Griese completed 38 of 67 (!) passes for 407 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in a 27-24 overtime victory at Soldier Field.
Since then, former Bears quarterbacks are 0-4 against the Bears — the Buccaneers’ Josh McCown in 2014 (21-13 at Soldier Field), the Jaguars’ Mike Glennon in 2020 (41-17 at TIAA Bank Stadium), the Giants’ Glennon in 2022 (29-3 at Soldier Field) and the Raiders’ Brian Hoyer last year (30-12 at Soldier Field).