Tag: Teven Jenkins

It looks like Lucas Patrick will start at RG again, and Bears fans aren’t happy

It looks like Lucas Patrick will get the start at right guard over Teven Jenkins, and Bears fans aren’t pleased.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for their Week 4 matchup against the New York Giants, where the offensive line will be key in protecting quarterback Justin Fields and opening up the run game.

There’s been a rotation at right guard through the first three games with Teven Jenkins and Lucas Patrick switching off during the game. Patrick is recovering from a broken thumb, and he hasn’t been moved back to center yet.

While Jenkins started the first two games — before rotating with Patrick — Patrick got the start last week, where he started 65% of the snaps. But Patrick had a rough game while Jenkins looked solid.

It looks like Patrick will be starting again at right guard against the Giants, according to Brad Biggs‘ observations during pre-game warmups.

Considering Jenkins has looked like the better option at right guard than Patrick, Bears fans aren’t happy about the move.

Bears HC Matt Eberflus explains why Lucas Patrick got start at RG, not Teven Jenkins

Why did Lucas Patrick get the start for Bears at right guard instead of Teven Jenkins? We’re talking about practice.

The Chicago Bears offensive line has been thrown into flux as Lucas Patrick recovers from a broken thumb. Patrick, brought in to serve as center, has been rotating at right guard with Teven Jenkins through the first three games.

Jenkins has been solid at right guard since moving from tackle, but he hasn’t had an opportunity to play a full game at the position.

While Jenkins started the first two games at right guard, Patrick got the start last Sunday against the Texans. Patrick played 65% of the reps compared to Jenkins’ 35%, which was less of a 50-50 split from the first two weeks.

Head coach Matt Eberflus explained that Patrick got the start (and most of the reps) because he had a better week of practice than Jenkins. Eberflus indicated Jenkins didn’t have a great practice Wednesday.

While practice is important, performing on game day is even more important. And it was clear that Jenkins was the better option at right guard, where he earned strong marks in pass protection (77.9) and run blocking (72.9), per Pro Football Focus. Elsewhere, Patrick struggled in pass protection (32.6) and run blocking (44.7).

Through three games, Patrick is the team’s lowest-graded offensive lineman with a 52.1 overall and a pass blocking mark of 42.2, according to PFF. Meanwhile, Jenkins is the highest-graded Bears offensive lineman with a 71.7 mark (tied with Cody Whitehair). His pass blocking grade, while not great, is higher at 57.2.

Eventually, Patrick will move back to center and Jenkins will assume the role of right guard on a full-time basis. But when that’ll happen remains to be seen, although Patrick was spotted snapping the ball at practice last week.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbve7kb6he6scwe player_id=none image=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=517677]

[listicle id=517618]

Bear Necessities: Teven Jenkins feeling confident at right guard

Bears’ Teven Jenkins reflected on adjusting to right guard: “Having those reps and all that time from a couple of weeks ago to now, I grew.”

This is our online morning newsletter, Bear Necessities. Subscribe to get the latest Bears news delivered to your mailbox every day.

Teven Jenkins has come a long way since training camp, where his future in Chicago appeared murky. But the second-year offensive lineman has found a new home at right guard, which is a new position for him.

Jenkins was moved to right guard during the preseason, where he racked up some important experience. He’s started at right guard, rotating with Lucas Patrick, in both games.

“Time is more important than anything,” Jenkins said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “Having those reps and all that time from a couple of weeks ago to now, I grew.”

Jenkins has gone toe-to-toe with guys like 49ers defensive ends Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead, which has helped boost his confidence.

“You grow up hearing all these big names, and of course those guys are the big names,” said Jenkins. “Being able to play with them makes me feel good.”

Jenkins has only been playing right guard for a month, and he knows he still has plenty of progress to make. But he’s certainly taken to the interior like a fish to water.

With Patrick back taking snaps at center this week in practice, it looks like Jenkins will get the full workload at right guard against the Texans.

Bear Necessities: How much longer will the rotation at right guard continue?

Bears OL Teven Jenkins and Lucas Patrick have pretty much equally split reps at right guard this season. How long will that continue?

This is our online morning newsletter, Bear Necessities. Subscribe to get the latest Bears news delivered to your mailbox every day.

The Chicago Bears have been rotating Teven Jenkins and Lucas Patrick at right guard for the last two weeks, and it’s been pretty much an equal split of reps at this point.

Through two games, Jenkins has played 50 snaps at right guard while Patrick ha splayed 49.

While Jenkins played 53% of snaps against the San Francisco 49ers, it was Patrick earning a majority at 54% against the Packers.

The rotation is happening as Patrick recovers from a broken right thumb suffered early in training camp. Patrick was brought in to be the starting center, but he’s been unable to snap the ball through the first two weeks of practice. As a result, they’ve been keeping him involved at right guard.

There’s certainly an argument to be made that the rotation isn’t helping matters along the offensive line, and there’s a question about when this rotation will finally come to an end.

Head coach Matt Eberflus was asked if he’d come to a decision about the rotation at right guard, and he seemed to indicate that Patrick’s thumb could be healed soon enough so he can return to center, where Sam Mustipher has been filling in.

“It depends on where we have Lucas, depends on what Lucas can do with his thumb,” Eberflus said Monday, via Sun-Times.

Whether that’s the case this week heading into the Texans game remains to be seen.

It sounds like Bears OL Lucas Patrick will be in reserve role vs. 49ers

Lucas Patrick wasn’t with the Bears’ starting offensive line during warmups.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, where all eyes will be on the offense.

The offensive line has been a hot topic of conversation all offseason, but especially this week with questions about Lucas Patrick’s availability. Patrick returned to practice this week after missing most of the summer with a broken right thumb.

Head coach Matt Eberflus said Patrick is an option at both center and guard. But given Patrick hasn’t snapped a ball all week in practice, he was an obvious option at guard.

There were questions about how Patrick’s return would impact the current offensive line. Would Teven Jenkins, who’s found a new home at right guard, be forced to a reserve role temporarily? That doesn’t appear to be the case.

According to the media in attendance during warmups, it looks like Patrick will serve in a reserve role at guard during today’s game against the 49ers.

This is what Chicago’s offensive line will look like against San Francisco: Braxton Jones (LT), Cody Whitehair (LG), Sam Mustipher (C), Teven Jenkins (RG), Larry Borom (RT).

When Patrick is able to snap the ball, he’ll replace Mustipher as the team’s starting center. But for now, it appears that Patrick will be available in an emergency role at guard.

[listicle id=516055]

[listicle id=515976]

What’s the plan for Bears OL Lucas Patrick heading into Week 1?

Bears OL Lucas Patrick hasn’t snapped a ball this week. What’s the plan for him in Week 1? And how could it impact and offensive line?

There are plenty of questions heading into the Bears’ season opener against the 49ers, especially when it comes to the offensive line.

Which is nothing new for this team, as offensive line has been a popular topic of discussion dating back to the spring. But with Lucas Patrick returning to practice after breaking his right thumb, it certainly has implications on the offensive line.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune told The Mully and Haugh Show on 670 the Score that Patrick hasn’t snapped the ball in practice because of his surgically repaired right thumb. Biggs expects Sam Mustipher to get the nod at center against the 49ers.

So what does that mean for Patrick, who head coach Matt Eberflus said would be available at center or guard.

Earlier this week, ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported that Patrick was taking reps at right guard with Teven Jenkins behind him. It was an indication that Jenkins might not get the start in Sunday’s opener.

But Biggs believes it’ll still be Jenkins at right guard against the 49ers, which would mean Patrick would be available, should Chicago need him.

While Patrick is someone you want on your offensive line, it wouldn’t help with the established continuity across the offensive line, particularly with Jenkins, who recently found new life at right guard.

When Patrick is able to snap the ball again, he’ll settle right into that center job. But until then, Jenkins should be the right guard and Patrick available should they need him.

But, at this point, we still don’t know what the Bears will ultimately do. We’ll have to wait for some type of confirmation, be it head coach Matt Eberflus or when the Bears actually take the field on Sunday.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbve7kb6he6scwe player_id=none image=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=515923]

[listicle id=515892]

Bears OL Lucas Patrick discusses playing with a cast

Bears OL Lucas Patrick opened up about playing with a cast ahead of the opener. Whether that’ll be at center or guard remains to be seen.

Bears offensive lineman Lucas Patrick made his return to practice this week after being sidelined since early training camp with a broken right thumb.

Patrick has been wearing a cast while practicing this week, which isn’t new for the veteran, who played with a club in his rookie year with the Packers.

“I’ve done it before in my career,” Patrick said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “My rookie year coming out, broke my hand, played all camp with that, early on in my career in Green Bay, played with a club later in the season. So nothing new for me.”

But the fact that Patrick is the Bears’ starting center certainly changes things. After all, he played guard with that cast in Green Bay. So how is it snapping the ball with a cast?

“Well, it’s definitely different,” Patrick said. “Imagine something on your hand. It’s not that big of a deal. We’ll just cross these bridges as they come.”

On Wednesday, quarterback Justin Fields said he hadn’t taken a snap from Patrick so far this week, which isn’t a good indication he’ll be at center for Sunday’s opener. Although, that’s something that could certainly change.

But if the Bears are keen on not rushing Patrick back, he’s expected to kick over to right guard for the season opener. Unfortunately, that would leave Teven Jenkins, who’s found a new home at right guard, as the odd man out. At least for now.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbve7kb6he6scwe player_id=none image=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=515748]

[listicle id=515662]

It doesn’t sound like Bears OL Teven Jenkins will start vs. 49ers

All signs seem to indicate Lucas Patrick starting at right guard for the Bears vs. 49ers, which leaves Teven Jenkins the odd man out.

Just when it seemed the Chicago Bears had things settled along the offensive line, there’s been some more shake-up following the return of Lucas Patrick to practice.

Head coach Matt Eberflus said Patrick, who’s recovering from a broken right thumb, can play both center and guard.

Unfortunately, that leaves Teven Jenkins, the presumptive starter at right guard, the odd man out.

According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Patrick was taking reps at right guard during Wednesday’s limited individual drills with Jenkins behind him. It certainly seems like the Bears are keen on Patrick starting in some kind of capacity on Sunday.

If that’s the case, Chicago’s offensive line will look like this: Braxton Jones (LT), Cody Whitehair (LG), Sam Mustipher (C), Lucas Patrick (RG), Larry Borom (RT).

While Jenkins appears to be once again be getting bounced, this time for Patrick, it shouldn’t have long-term implications. Once Patrick is able to snap the ball, he’ll kick back to center and Jenkins will assume the right guard role.

But nothing is guaranteed yet. Eberflus will likely field questions about Patrick’s placement on the offensive line during Friday’s press conference. But we likely won’t know the answer until Sunday.

[the_huddle]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbve7kb6he6scwe player_id=none image=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=515748]

[listicle id=515662]

3 most important Bears (not named Justin Fields) for 2022 season

Justin Fields is the most important player for the Bears this season. But here are three others who will be pivotal for Chicago in 2022:

The 2022 season is a new beginning of sorts for the Chicago Bears. A new head coach in Matt Eberflus. A new general manager in Ryan Poles. And a lot of new pieces that will be looking to prove themselves. 

While the Bears aren’t expected to make any sort of playoff run, their season can still be seen as a step forward if they see progression in their new foundational players. Here are the three most important players for the Bears in 2022. 

Quick sidenote: This list does not include Justin Fields because he is undoubtedly the most important piece in Chicago.

Bears looking at two different offensive line combinations with Lucas Patrick

The Bears are looking at different offensive line combinations with Lucas Patrick, which depends on whether or not he can snap the ball.

The Chicago Bears received some good news on the injury front with the return of offensive lineman Lucas Patrick to practice on Monday.

Patrick hasn’t practiced since July 28 after injuring his right hand in the second practice of training camp. According to reports, Patrick suffered a broken right thumb that required surgery. So there are questions about whether he’ll be able to snap the ball.

But it sounds like the Bears have a solution should that arise.

Head coach Matt Eberflus said Patrick is an option at both center and guard, and the team is looking at combinations with him both at center and guard.

“We’re looking at both combinations right now,” Eberflus said. “We’ll have to see where he is and we’ll assess that as we go. It’ll be a Wednesday, Thursday assessment and then go from there.”

If Patrick is able to snap the ball, the offensive line combination would look like this: LT Braxton Jones, LG Cody Whitehair, C Lucas Patrick, RG Teven Jenkins, RT Larry Borom.

But if Patrick is unable to snap the ball, that would leave Jenkins, who has carved out a nice role for himself at right guard, as the odd man out. At least for the time being before Patrick can kick back inside to center. Sam Mustipher would then assume the job of center, where he started all 17 games last season.

We won’t know anything until the first injury report is released Wednesday, which is when Eberflus said he’d start discussing injuries.

[vertical-gallery id=515492]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbve7kb6he6scwe player_id=none image=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]