Bears practice sees multiple injuries and lineup shuffles on offense and defense
Chicago Bears held a practice marked by several injuries, prompting changes across the offensive line, defensive front and secondary, while continuing red-zone and special-teams work.
The Bears' practice was interrupted when second-year wide receiver Luther Burden left the field with a leg injury during a one-on-one route with Tyrique Stevenson. Burden did not return, and Stevenson later suffered a tailbone knock in the same drill but was able to finish the session.
Left tackle Braxton Jones continued to miss practice after a recent injury, leaving Jedrick Wills Jr. to handle first-team reps. The rest of the starting offensive line—guard Thuney, center Bradbury, guard Jackson and tackle Wright—remained in their usual rotation, while the second-string line featured Kiran Amegadjie, Luke Newman, Logan Jones, Jordan McFadden and Theo Benedet.
The offense focused heavily on red-zone scenarios, running a quarterback keeper play from shotgun formation in both walk-throughs and full-team drills.
Defensively, the line was thin after defensive end Montez Sweat and Shemar Turner remained sidelined. Defensive tackle James Lynch received extra work at end, and Dayo Odeyingbo shifted back to tackle duties. Daniel Hardy saw defensive-end snaps with the starters, and rookie sixth-round pick Jordan van den Berg earned first-team time at tackle, displaying notable quickness and strength. Undrafted rookie Jayden Loving also appeared with the second-string defensive line.
Linebacker depth was limited, with only Jack Sanborn and Devin Bush taking snaps alongside the starters; TJ Edwards and D’Marco Jackson were absent. The nickel corner position was also shorthanded as Kyler Gordon stayed on the PUP list and Jaylon Jones missed practice. Fourth-round rookie Malik Muhammad started at nickel, later moving outside when Stevenson was unavailable, with Josh Blackwell filling in.
Safety depth was tested after Coby Bryant’s injury and Elijah Hicks remained on the PUP list. Cam Lewis stepped in for Bryant but left the field with a possible ankle injury, after which undrafted rookie Skyler Thomas took his place. Newly signed safeties Xavier Woods and William Wright participated, with Woods working primarily with the second-string unit.
Special-teams activity was limited to a punt drill. Running back Kyle Monangai appeared on the first-team punt protection unit for the first time, and wide receivers Kalif Raymond, Zavion Thomas and JP Richardson were involved in punt coverage, with Thomas fumbling a catch.
The practice concluded with several players, including rookie Dillon Thieneman, making notable plays in 11-on-11 situations, such as a goal-line stop and an interception on a late-game Hail Mary attempt.