Tag: Elijah Wilkinson

What Charles Leno’s release means for the Bears offensive line

The Bears parted ways with LT Charles Leno. But what does his release mean for Chicago’s offensive line heading into the 2021 season?

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Just a couple of days after the conclusion of the 2021 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears had clarity at the offensive tackle position, choosing to part ways with former seventh-round pick Charles Leno.

The decision was made due to Leno’s salary cap hit along with the team’s confidence in second-round rookie Teven Jenkins, who figures to slide into that vacant left tackle role.

The reaction to Leno’s release was mixed, but most people weren’t a fan of it considering it leaves Chicago’s offensive tackle position vulnerable. Because while Leno had his faults, he was a decent enough left tackle, which is hard to find in the NFL. But, ultimately, Leno’s $11.3 million cap hit in 2021 proved to be too much, and GM Ryan Pace identified his immediately replacement in Jenkins.

The biggest concern on the offensive line heading into this offseason was the tackle position, as the interior of the line is set with James Daniels, Cody Whitehair, Sam Mustipher and Alex Bars. It appeared that the plan was to insert Jenkins at right tackle opposite Leno and eventually ease him into the left tackle role.

Now with Jenkins set to move to the left side as a rookie, it looks like it’ll be German Ifedi, Elijah Wilkinson and fifth-round rookie Larry Borom competing for the vacant right tackle position.

There are some also some cheaper veteran options on the market that Chicago could target as a potential replacement for Leno, including Russell Okung and Mitchell Schwartz.

Heading into the remainder of the offseason, the stability of the offensive line will continue to be one of the biggest storylines, especially with a franchise quarterback in Justin Fields waiting in the wings.

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Here are details of OL Elijah Wilkinson’s contract with Bears

The Bears signed Elijah Wilkinson to add valuable depth to the offensive line. Here are details of Wilkinson’s contract.

The Chicago Bears added some valuable depth to the offensive line with the addition of former Denver Broncos offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson to a one-year contract.

Chicago has a vacant right tackle spot up for grabs following the release of Bobby Massie earlier this offseason. The Bears are bringing back Germain Ifedi, who took over for Massie at right tackle, but he’ll likely have some competition from Wilkinson at that vacant right tackle position.

Now, we have details of Wilkinson’s contract with the Bears.

Wilkinson singed a one-year deal worth $1.27 million, including $987,500 guaranteed and a $137,500 signing bonus. In 2021, Wilkinson will earn a base salary of $990,000 and a signing bonus of $137,500, while carrying a cap hit of $987,500.

By comparison, earlier this offseason, Chicago re-signed Ifedi to a one-year deal worth $4.25 million, including $2.25 million guaranteed and a $2.25 million sining bonus.  Ifedi’s cap his for the 2021 season is $4.25 million.

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Bears signing former Broncos OL Elijah Wilkinson

The Bears added depth on the offensive line with the signing of former Bronco Elijah Wilkinson.

The Chicago Bears are making a move on the offensive line with the signing of former Denver Broncos offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson, who could bring some competition to the vacant right tackle position, to a one-year deal.

Mike Klis, who covers the Broncos for 9News, originally reported that Wilkinson had a visit with the Bears on Tuesday, where a deal was close. Wilkinson soon after took to Instagram to share the news that he was a Bear.

Chicago has a need at right tackle, where Wilkinson could certainly fit the bill. Wilkinson served as the Broncos’ top backup swing guard/tackle, and he’s appeared in 45 games, including 26 starts. While Wilkinson has started at both tackle and guard, he’s served mostly as a tackle for the Broncos since joining the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017.

But Wilkinson will have to win the job over Germain Ifedi, who recently re-signed a one-year deal with the Bears last week. Chicago will also likely be targeting an offensive tackle in next month’s draft. But there’s still certainly need for depth at the tackle position outside of a starting role.

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Broncos RT Elijah Wilkinson taking advice from Demar Dotson

“All advice — especially from a veteran who’s been against all kinds of pass rushers — all advice is good advice,” Wilkinson said.

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Demar Dotson is more than just depth and competition at right tackle — he’s also a mentor for the Broncos’ younger offensive tackles.

Dotson was signed after Ja’Wuan James opted out of the season and he might end up competing for the starting job but for now, he’s providing depth. He’s also passing on knowledge to projected starter Elijah Wilkinson.

“I’ve taken in everything because he’s been playing for the last 11 years,” Wilkinson said after practice on Aug. 21. “I’m taking in everything he has to offer for me, whether it’s talking to me about my set, where I’m putting my hands or doing this better . . . I’m only in my fourth year here, so anything helps. All advice — especially from a veteran who’s been against all kinds of pass rushers — all advice is good advice.”

Dotson started in 15 games for the Buccaneers last season and allowed 3.5 sacks, according to STATS LLC. Wilkinson started 12 games for Denver and allowed eight sacks. Perhaps Dotson will be able to pass on some tips that will help Wilkinson lower his sack total this season.

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Broncos injuries: KJ Hamler could be out a month

The Broncos have at least nine players dealing with injuries.

After wide receiver KJ Hamler sat out practice on Thursday, Broncos coach Vic Fangio said the rookie would miss “a couple weeks.” Those weeks might drag into a month.

Hamler could be out a month, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Hamstring injuries can have varying recovery times and Denver won’t want to rush Hamler back on the field before he’s fully recovered.

One month from Thursday would be Sept. 20, which puts Hamler in danger of missing the Broncos’ season opener against the Titans (Sept. 14) and possibly their road game against the Steelers (Sept. 20) as well.

With Hamler sidelined, the Broncos brought in free agent wide receiver Cody White for a tryout. There’s been no word yet on if that tryout will lead to a spot on the roster.

Elsewhere on the injury front, outside linebacker Von Miller (elbow) and running back Melvin Gordon (ribs) were held out of practice Friday but their injuries do not seem to be serious. Fangio said both players are day-to-day.

Wide receiver Juwann Winfree (groin), tight end Nick Vannett (concussion protocol) and tight end Austin Fort (knee) were also held out. Fort will be out for several weeks. Vannett might be close to returning. Winfree’s status is uncertain.

Fangio said Elijah Wilkinson “tweaked” his ankle at Friday’s practice but the right tackle says he will be OK.

“My ankle is fine,” Wilkinson said. “Just a quick roll, but everything was fine walking off. They just kind of pulled me and no reason aggravate it anymore. Everything is fine. We got tangled up a little bit, but everything is cool.”

Denver received good news on inside linebacker Todd Davis, who suffered a calf injury on Thursday. Davis has a strain, not a tear, which means a faster recovery time. Davis is still going to miss “at least a week,” according to Fangio, but that’s better than missing two months as he did in 2019.

Broncos rookie tight end Albert Okwuegbunam has some kind of thumb injury but he has been able to catch passes at practice with a splint.

“You can’t even tell [he’s wearing it] so that’s always good to see that he’s not taking the easy way out with a crutch there,” Fangio said of Okwuegbunam’s splint. “Overall, we’ve been pleased with him.”

Denver’s players will get a much-needed rest day on Saturday before returning to the UCHealth Training Center for Day 8 on Sunday.

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Predicting Broncos’ offensive line depth chart after adding Demar Dotson

How will adding Demar Dotson impact the Broncos’ offensive line depth chart?

The Denver Broncos are set to make some changes to their offensive line after Ja’Wuan James opted out of the season. Denver signed veteran right tackle Demar Dotson to a one-year deal but he’s not necessarily guaranteed to start, at least not right away.

Here’s our early offensive line depth chart prediction for the Broncos:

Left Tackle Left Guard Center Right Guard Right Tackle
Garett Bolles Dalton Risner Lloyd Cushenberry III Graham Glasgow Elijah Wilkinson
Jake Rodgers Netane Muti Patrick Morris Austin Schlottmann Demar Dotson

This is just an early projection and it is subject to change, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Elijah Wilkinson begin the year as a starter given that he has a head start on Dotson and he was named James’ replacement last week.

A dark horse — such as Calvin Anderson — could emerge this summer but four of the team’s five starting jobs seem to be set. Muti is essentially a lock to make the team and Dotson will likely make it at least as a backup.

The remaining backup players will need to be versatile so they can serve as backups for multiple positions. Schlottmann, for example, can play both guard and center. If Dotson does end up starting, Wilkinson can serve as a backup tackle and guard.

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Report: Broncos have ‘parameters of deal’ in place with Demar Dotson

The Broncos appear close to signing offensive tackle Demar Dotson.

The Denver Broncos have the parameters of a deal in place with 34-year-old right tackle Demar Dotson, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Terms of the contract are unknown but it is likely a one-year deal.

Dotson (6-9, 315 pounds) signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a college free agent out of Southern Mississippi following the 2009 NFL draft. He became a regular starter in 2012 and remained a starter through the 2019 season.

Dotson has to test negative for COVID-19 and then the team will give him a physical examination. If he passes, Dotson will likely be signed early this week, according to Klis.

Denver is looking for more depth at right tackle after Ja’Wuan James opted out of the season. Elijah Wilkinson is expected to start in James’ place — Dotson would provide competition and veteran depth at tackle.

Dotson committed 10 penalties and allowed 3.5 sacks in 15 starts last season, according to STATS LLC. Wilkinson was penalized six times and allowed eight sacks in 12 starts.

The Broncos currently have three open spots on the roster.

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Broncos will ask Elijah Wilkinson to step up — again

“Eli made a lot of progress last year,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said.

Elijah Wilkinson will be asked to step up this season, just as he was last year.

When starting right tackle Ja’Wuan James went down last season, Wilkinson — the backup swing guard/tackle — replaced him. James ended up dressing for just three games in 2019 and Wilkinson started 12 contests as an injury fill in.

This year, Wilkinson will be asked to fill in again after James decided to opt out of the 2020 season. If James had decided to play, Wilkinson would have competed with Garett Bolles for the starting left tackle job.

Given that Wilkinson has spent his career at guard and right tackle, Bolles would have been the clear favorite on the left side. Now Wilkinson will be the clear favorite to start on the right side.

“I thought Eli made a lot of progress last year throughout the season,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said during a Zoom conference call on Aug. 4. “He ended the last game and a half where he hurt his ankle.

“As it relates to Eli, it’s a good thing for him personally because now he gets to go back to the position that he spent 800-900 snaps at last year and all the practice that goes with that. From his perspective, it’s a good thing.”

Wilkinson was penalized six times and allowed eight sacks last season, according to STATS LLC. Denver will need him to improve on those numbers for the offensive line to take a step forward in 2020.

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Broncos activate two players from injury lists

Broncos activated Elijah Wilkinson and Netane Muti from injury lists, allowing them to fully practice now.

On the same day that Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James opted out of the 2020 season, Denver got some good news on the injury front.

The Broncos activated offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson from the physically unable to perform list and guard Netane Muti from the non-football injury list, the team announced Monday.

Wilkinson and Muti can now begin fully practicing.

Wilkinson is expected to replace James at right tackle so his health is crucial to the team’s success. Muti is a sixth-round draft pick who struggled with several injuries while playing for Fresno State.

Some fans and pundits have suggested moving guard Dalton Risner to right tackle and having Muti fill in at guard. Given his injury history, though, Muti probably won’t be rushed into a starting job as a rookie.

Instead, Denver will likely have Garett Bolles, Risner, Lloyd Cushenberry, Graham Glasgow and Wilkinson serve as the starting five. Muti could serve as the top backup guard, filling in as injuries necessitate.

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Who will replace Ja’Wuan James on the Broncos’ offensive line?

Who will step up on the Broncos’ offensive line after Ja’Wuan James opted out of the 2020 season?

After Ja’Wuan James opted out of the 2020 season, the Denver Broncos will need a new plan at right tackle.

James, who missed most of last season while injured, was expected to serve as Denver’s starting right tackle this year. The most likely candidate to replace him is Elijah Wilkinson, who joined the team as an undrafted free agent out of Massachusetts in 2017.

Wilkinson served as a backup swing guard/tackle as a rookie and then was an injury fill-in starter for seven games in 2018. Last year, Wilkinson started in 12 games as a fill-in for James.

Wilkinson was originally expected to compete with Garett Bolles for the starting left tackle job this summer. Now that James is no longer part of the picture, Wilkinson will be the clear favorite to start at right tackle, which means Bolles will be expected to keep his starting job as well.

Wilkinson was penalized six times and allowed eight sacks last season, according to STATS LLC. He is currently on Denver’s physically unable to perform list but should be back on the practice field by mid-August.

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