Tag: Ja’Tyre Carter

Bears found these prospects at the Senior Bowl in 2022

We’re taking a look at the four prospects the Bears drafted that participated in the Senior Bowl last year:

The Senior Bowl kicks off this week, which marks the unofficial start to draft season, where NFL teams will get a glimpse at some of the nation’s top prospects.

General manager Ryan Poles and people from his personnel department will be in Mobile, Ala., to take in practices and get to meet with prospects, according to Larry Mayer.

But this year, Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy is serving as the head coach of the American team. So he’ll get an even better look at these prospects.

Let’s take a look back at the four prospects the Bears drafted that participated in the Senior Bowl last year:

Bye week grades for the Bears 2022 rookie draft class

Bye week grades for the Bears 2022 rookie draft class

The Chicago Bears won’t be taking the field this weekend due to their bye week, but it presents a good opportunity to evaluate their 11 draft picks they selected earlier this spring.

Some players have stood out in big ways, while others have disappointed despite getting numerous opportunities. And then there’s the other group that has seen just a few snaps here and there, waiting for their opportunity to make an impact.

After 13 games, here are our grades for the 2022 Bears draft class.

Does Bears OT Teven Jenkins have a shot at a starting job?

As Bears OT Teven Jenkins returns to practice, he faces an uphill battle to earn a starting job.

Bears offensive tackle Teven Jenkins returned to practice on Saturday after dealing with an undisclosed injury that forced him to miss seven straight practices. Jenkins only participated in individual drills as he’s in the middle of his ramp-up period.

Despite Jenkins missing time, head coach Matt Eberflus said he’s remained involved during meetings and that he’s in competition for a starting job on the offensive line. Eberflus had a message for Jenkins upon his return.

“Really, the same as everybody: ‘Go out there and compete. Everything’s open. Dive in,'” Eberflus said. “Like we’ve said, he’s been great in meetings. He’s been very attentive. He’s been paying attention. He’s been back up at the walk-throughs looking at the plays and understanding his role and the plays. So he’s been good.”

Jenkins got a look at swing tackle on the first day of training camp, and he said he’d be open to switching to guard. Whatever it takes.

“I’m willing to play wherever they want me,” Jenkins said. “I want to be here in Chicago so I’m playing wherever they need me to play.”

But when looking at how the offensive line situation has panned out so far, it’s hard to imagine Jenkins winning a starting role.

Rookie Braxton Jones has emerged as the favorite to start at left tackle. Meanwhile, veteran Riley Reiff has been settling in at right tackle, where he’s been rotating with Larry Borom. So tackle doesn’t appear to be in the cards for Jenkins.

But what about right guard? Michael Schofield and Ja’Tyre Carter have been splitting reps there as Sam Mustipher sees time at center with Lucas Patrick out indefinitely with a right hand injury. But assuming Patrick returns in time for the regular season, Mustipher could factor into the equation.

Jenkins faces an uphill battle to earn a starting job, but he’ll have opportunities to impress in camp and preseason. As trade rumors swirl, Jenkins still believes he’ll be on the roster come Week 1.

“Do I expect to be here in the regular season? Yeah,” he said.

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Another injury shuffles Bears offensive line on Day 9 of training camp

Bears rookie Braxton Jones suffered a minor, undisclosed injury. See how that impacted the offensive line on Saturday:

The Chicago Bears offensive line is far from solidified at this point of training camp. The shuffling continued during Saturday’s practice, where there was an interesting injury development.

Rookie Braxton Jones, who appears to be the favorite to start at left tackle, was sidelined with an undisclosed injury. According to The Athletic, Jones spent some time talking with a trainer at practice. Head coach Matt Eberflus didn’t sound too worried and listed Jones as day today.

With Jones sidelined, there was a new name thrown into the ring at left tackle. Veteran Shon Coleman took the starting reps at left tackle in his place.

That also might’ve had something to do with the fact that veteran Riley Reiff didn’t participate in team drills, only individual drills. Assuming he participated, the expectation is he would’ve kicked back over to left tackle while Larry Borom took the reps at right tackle.

Veterans Cody Whitehair and Reiff practiced, but they sat out during team drills, which opened the door for some more shifting. Rookie Ja’Tyre Carter, who had been splitting reps with Michael Schofield at right guard, got a look at left guard in Whitehair’s place. Borom, who had been rotating with Reiff at right tackle, was back to taking all of the reps at right tackle.

Elsewhere, Sam Mustipher was back taking starting reps at center as Lucas Patrick remains sidelined indefinitely with a right hand injury. Schofield continued to take starting reps at right guard.

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Bears aren’t close to solidifying starting offensive line

Things are looking clearer along the offensive line, but Luke Getsy said the Bears will continue to experiment with different combinations.

The Chicago Bears have been experimenting with different combinations along the offensive line through the first eight practices of training camp. But things have become pretty consistent over the last few days.

Rookie Braxton Jones has taken all of the starting reps at left tackle for the last three practices while Riley Reiff has started at right tackle, where he’s rotated with Larry Borom. Michael Schofield got the first chance with the starters at right guard, and rookie Ja’Tyre Carter has rotated in. Sam Mustipher, who started the summer at right guard, has been working exclusively at center since Lucas Patrick’s injury.

But offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said the team isn’t close to solidifying the offensive line and will continue to experiment with different combinations heading into the preseason.

“We’re still a ways away for a lot of positions, to be honest with you, and that’s one of them,” Getsy said. “We’ve flipped guys from right to left up front and we’re trying to see whatever combination makes the most sense and which guys are the most flexible for us. So we’ve got a lot of information still to find out.

“This has been a really good week for us, though. You talk about some guys that have stepped up and [we wonderered] how are they going to react when there are pads in the run game. That’s the biggest part. I think they’ve done a lot of really good things.”

While the Bears might not be settled on a starting five, it certainly appears the offensive line situation is starting to become clearer.

At this point, it might be fair to say the left tackle job is Jones’ to lose, especially given he’s worked exclusively at left tackle and has received all of the starting reps since the pads came on. The Bear paid Riley Reiff to come and solidify the tackle position, and right now it looks like that might be right tackle.

As Schofield has ramped up, he certainly appears to be the favorite at right guard. While Patrick will be the starting center once he returns from injury, Mustipher looks to be the emergency backup plan. Then there’s Cody Whitehair, who already has the left guard job locked down.

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10 takeaways after the first full week of Bears training camp

The Bears wrapped their first full week of training camp. Here’s what we learned from the first 7 practices.

The Chicago Bears have concluded their first full week of training camp practice at Halas Hall, where they conducted seven workouts, including two with pads.

There was plenty to take in from the first full week of practice, including the offense’s early struggles, the consistent shuffling along the offensive line, an improved secondary and the Teven Jenkins saga.

The Bears return to the practice field on Friday morning, where they’ll hold three straight practices before another off day on Monday.

But before we look ahead to the second week of practices, here’s what we learned after Chicago’s first full week of training camp:

Position battle updates following first week of Bears training camp

Following the first seven practices of training camp, we’re taking a look at how some of the Bears’ top position battles are shaking out.

The Chicago Bears have wrapped their first full week of training camp with seven practices, including two with pads, in the books.

There’s been plenty of competition at multiple positions on the roster, including some shake-ups along the offensive line and at cornerback, as well as some interesting names emerging at wide receiver.

There are no shortage of roster battles we’ve been monitoring at the start of the summer, and there have been some interesting developments through the first portion of camp.

Following the first seven practices of training camp, we’re taking a look at how some of the Bears’ top position battles are shaking out.

Rookies have been stealing the show at Bears training camp

The Bears have one week of training camp in the books, and it’s been the rookies who have made strong impressions.

The Bears have wrapped their first week of training camp, and it’s been the rookies who have been making strong impressions through the first four practices.

Chicago’s top rookies cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker were among the standouts, where they’re establishing themselves as turnover machines. Both Gordon and Brisker have come away with interceptions of quarterback Justin Fields, where their impressive skillsets are on display.

“Ball hawks; that’s what they are, that’s why we brought them here,” said head coach Matt Eberflus. “A person doesn’t change from college. If they have ball skills in college, they still have it. We enhance them by being fanatical and us practicing the way we practice and the drills we do that we’ve done forever and the new ones that we’re incorporating now. We’ll enhance that skill. But it’s got to be a want-to.”

Both Gordon and Brisker, who are expected to start immediately as rookies, could be a problem for opposing offenses. Brisker will be the starting strong safety opposite Eddie Jackson while Gordon has been getting looks both outside and at nickel cornerback.

Then there’s wide receiver Velus Jones Jr., whose blazing speed and playmaking ability has been obvious. On Saturday, Jones was one of the few positives for the offense. He hauled in two deep balls from Fields, including an over-the-shoulder catch from Fields going against Gordon. He’s getting looks at multiple positions at receiver, with the goal being to get him as many opportunities as they can.

“They’re moving me from Z, F, X,” Jones said. “They want me to know everything, so it’s been really fun getting to work with my QBs and stuff like that. But they know my abilities. They know the reason why they drafted me. I am really good with the ball in my hands. Wherever they need me to be, I’m just going to be there and execute.”

The Bears haven’t been afraid to give all of their rookies some valuable reps, and that was especially true along the offensive line last week. All four rookie offensive linemen were starting at one point during Friday’s practice — due to Lucas Patrick’s injury and Cody Whitehair’s veteran rest day.

But from everything we’ve seen dating back to the spring, Chicago feels comfortable putting these rookies in this position. Braxton Jones is competing for a starting tackle job, Zachary Thomas has been a solid No. 2 behind Whitehair, Doug Kramer has been seeing plenty of reps at center with Patrick sidelined and Ja’Tyre Carter has recently seen an uptick in reps at right guard.

While the Bears might not have any rookies starting on the offensive line, they’re certainly getting their opportunities early in camp.

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10 takeaways from the Bears’ first week of training camp

The Bears wrapped their first week of training camp. Here’s what we learned from the first four practices.

The Chicago Bears have wrapped up their first week of training camp practice at Halas Hall, where they conducted four practices.

There was plenty to take in from the first week of practice, including the development of quarterback Justin Fields, the play of Chicago’s top rookies and how the offensive line is shaking out following Lucas Patrick’s injury and Teven Jenkins’ absence.

The Bears return to the practice field on Monday morning, which is expected to be the team’s first padded practice of the summer.

But before we look ahead to next week’s practice, here’s what we learned after Chicago’s first week of training camp:

Bears O-Line Watch: Breaking down Day 3 of training camp

We’re breaking down the Bears offensive line after the third practice of training camp.

The Chicago Bears have kicked off training camp, and there are plenty of storylines we’re monitoring this summer. One of the biggest is the offensive line — specifically, what will the starting combination look like? And how quickly are they going to figure that out?

Head coach Matt Eberflus reiterated that all starting combinations are open heading into training camp. Although it certainly appears that things are becoming clearer following the additions of veterans Riley Reiff and Michael Schofield.

“We have to keep an open mind into the best combination, the best five, and the best three guys after that,” Eberflus said. “So it’s important that we keep an open mind.”

There were some interesting developments during Friday’s practice, which at one time featured four rookies starting during team drills.

Here’s a look at how the offensive line shook out during the second practice of training camp on Thursday, focusing on left tackle, right guard, right tackle and center.