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The Bears practiced for the first time on Wednesday, where they conducted a light, scripted practice. Here’s what we learned.
The Chicago Bears hit the practice field for the first time at training camp on Wednesday, where they conducted a light, scripted practice. But there were still plenty of storylines to monitor, including Andy Dalton’s impressive day and some early injuries to keep an eye on.
As the Bears gear up for their first practice with fans in attendance on Thursday, here’s a look at what we learned from the media during Wednesday’s light practice on Day 1:
As the Bears practiced for the first time at training camp, they were without S Eddie Jackson (hamstring) and OL Germain Ifedi (hip flexor).
The Chicago Bears were without a few players as they kicked off their first practice of training camp on Wednesday at Halas Hall. Safety Eddie Jackson (hamstring), offensive tackle Germain Ifedi (hip flexor) and offensive tackle Teven Jenkins (back tightness) were all held out of Wednesday’s practice.
The Bears have now made corresponding roster moves, placing Jackson on the Non-Football Injury list and Ifedi on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
When Matt Nagy met with reporters before practice, he indicated the injuries to those players weren’t serious.
Ifedi joins running back Tarik Cohen and rookie wide receiver Dazz Newsome on the PUP list. Ifedi suffered a hip flexor during his conditioning test. With Ifedi placed on the PUP list, he’ll continue to count against the 90-man roster. A player can be removed from the PUP list and start practicing at any time during training camp.
But Jackson’s NFI designation indicates that his injury occurred away from the team. Once Jackson has been medically cleared, he can return to practice.
#Bears roster moves:
We have placed DB Eddie Jackson on the Non-Football Injury list and OL Germain Ifedi on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) July 28, 2021
While Ifedi is the favorite to win the starting right tackle job, he’ll be competing against rookie Larry Borom, who will get some valuable first-team reps until Ifedi is ready to return to practice.
Meanwhile, the Bears return all four safeties from a season ago, which means Deon Bush and DeAndre Houston-Carson will get some valuable reps until Jackson is ready to return.
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Let’s take a look at the Bears’ most exciting position battles to watch heading into training camp.
The Chicago Bears have several starting jobs up for grabs this offseason during what’s sure to be an entertaining offseason. And while jobs won’t be won or lost during Organized Team Activities, which kick off Tuesday, it’s the start of what’s going to be an important training camp and preseason for a number of players.
That are several position battles that are likely to capture attention, both on offense and defense. Not only are there starting spots up for grabs, but roster spots, which is likely to leave some players without a job when all is said and done.
Let’s take a look at the four most exciting roster competitions to watch heading into training camp.
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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The Chicago Bears added some insurance to the offensive line Tuesday night with the decision to re-sign Germain Ifedi after a promising first season with the team. He’ll earn $5 million in 2021, per Adam Schefter. Another move for Chicago: Germain …
The Chicago Bears added some insurance to the offensive line Tuesday night with the decision to re-sign Germain Ifedi after a promising first season with the team.
He’ll earn $5 million in 2021, per Adam Schefter.
Another move for Chicago: Germain Ifedi is signing a 1-year, $5 million deal, including a $4.25 million base salary, with the Bears, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2021
Ifedi played in all 16 regular-season games and the wild-card round for the Bears in 2020, earning a 65.5 grade from Pro Football Focus. It was the highest PFF grade of his career.
Ifedi will could end up competing for the starting right tackle position with the departure of Bobby Massie, but his versatility gives the Bears a valuable swing-man who can provide quality starter’s reps.
Here’s a look at the Bears’ full injury report from Friday’s practice, as well as game designations.
The Chicago Bears released their final injury report ahead of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions, which included nine players questionable for Week 13.
Two surprising additions to the injury report on Friday were receivers Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney, who both were listed with knee injuries. Mooney’s was more precautionary, according to Matt Nagy, while Robinson exited practice early with that knee injury.
Here’s a look at the full injury report from Friday’s practice, as well as game designations.
The Detroit Lions (4-7) Week 13 opponent, the Chicago Bears (5-6), have released their injury designations ahead of Sunday’s game.
The Detroit Lions (4-7) Week 13 opponent, the Chicago Bears (5-6), have released their injury designations ahead of Sunday’s game and nine players are listed as questionable, including five starters.
Here’s a look at the Bears’ full injury designations list.
| Player | Position | Injury | Designation |
| Khalil Mack | EDGE (starter) | Back | Questionable |
| Akiem Hicks | DE (starter) | Hamstring/Achillies | Questionable |
| Allen Robinson | WR (starter) | Knee | Questionable |
| Charles Leno | LT (starter) | Toe | Questionable |
| Germain Ifedi | RT (starter) | Calf | Questionable |
| Nick Foles | QB | Hip | Questionable |
| Darnell Mooney | WR | Knee | Questionable |
| James Vaughters | LB | Knee | Questionable |
| Josh Woods | LB | Foot | Questionable |
Mack is, of course, the big name on the list, and while he did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, coach Matt Nagy insisted holding him out was just precautionary and they expected him to play on Sunday. On Friday, he got in a limited practice and appears on track.
Hicks is by far the Bears’ second-best player on a deep defense, and after missing last week with injuries, he got two limited practices in this week and has the potential to play.
Robinson, the Bears’ best player on offense, popped up on the injury report on Friday and received the questionable tag. Like with Mack, Nagy is preaching caution and says they will be monitoring him leading up to the game.
Left tackle Leno missed practice on Wednesday but returned to two limited practices the rest of the week, while right tackle Ifedi — an injury replacement himself — saw three limited practices. Both seem likely to play on Sunday.
Foles, saw a limited practice on Wednesday, followed by two full practices on Thursday and Friday, but Nagy has already named Mitchell Trubisky as the starting quarterback. If Trubisky struggles, Foles appears to be ready to step in.
Here’s a look at the Bears’ full injury report from Thursday’s practice, which included Akiem Hicks returning to practice.
The Chicago Bears released their second injury report ahead of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions, and eyes are on some big-name defensive players they’ll need on the field in order to break their five-game losing streak.
Here’s a look at the full injury report from Thursday’s practice, which included defensive tackle Akiem Hicks returning to practice and quarterback Nick Foles practicing in full.
Here’s a look at the full injury report from Wednesday’s practice, which included three players not practicing due to injury.
The Chicago Bears released their first injury report ahead of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions, where eyes were on some big-name defensive players that they’ll need to break their five-game losing streak.
Here’s a look at the full injury report from Wednesday’s practice, which included three players not practicing due to injury.
The Chicago Bears continue to suffer blows to their offensive line ahead of an important Week 9 match-up against the Tennessee Titans.
The Chicago Bears continue to suffer blows to their offensive line ahead of an important Week 9 match-up against the Tennessee Titans.
After four players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list this week, rookie offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons was the latest to land on the list on Sunday morning. Simmons has been ruled out fir the Titans game, and the Bears have activated offensive lineman Aaron Neary from the practice squad in his place.
#Bears Roster Move:
We have placed OL Lachavious Simmons on the Reserve/COVID-19 list and have activated OL Aaron Neary. Simmons has been ruled out for today's game at the Titans.— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) November 8, 2020
Simmons joins three other players currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including center Cody Whitehair, reserve tackle Jason Spriggs and safety Deon Bush.
Whitehair and Spriggs both tested positive for the virus this week, and Germain Ifedi was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week after being deemed a close contact. Ifedi has since tested negative for the virus and is expected to play against the Titans.
