NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Bears training camp observations: Murky OL health, play could hamper plan for Caleb Williams originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — In a perfect world, the Bears plan to give rookie quarterback Caleb Williams his first preseason action Saturday when they face the Bills in Buffalo.
Williams and the Bears starters didn’t play in Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game win over the Houston Texans. It was expected they would sit out the Bears’ “extra” preseason game. But a start Saturday in Buffalo is likely necessary if the Bears want to get Williams the desired 45-to-55 preseason snaps.
While that’s the preferred plan, head coach Matt Eberflus has been clear that offensive line health in front of Williams will dictate the quarterback’s playtime.
If Sunday’s offensive line situation is any indication, Williams’ preseason debut might be in jeopardy if health doesn’t improve.
Right tackle Darnell Wright missed his third straight practice Sunday, while left guard Teven Jenkins exited practice after warm-up and did not return. Right guard Nate Davis returned to practice for the first time in a week but went through only individual work before exiting to do more rehab work on the side.
It’s unclear if Davis’ exit was planned as part of a ramp-up or if he re-aggravated something during individual drills.
With Wright, Davis, and Jenkins all out, the Bears once again tinkered with different offensive line combinations in front of Williams.
For most of Sunday’s practice, the first offensive line was (from left to right): Braxton Jones, Jerome Carvin, Ryan Bates, Bill Murray, and Matt Pryor. Ja’Tyre Carter also mixed in at left guard.
That line struggled against a first-team defensive front that was without defensive end Montez Sweat and defensive tackle Andrew Billings.
The Bears tinkered with the line for the two-minute portion of practice, bringing in Coleman Shelton at center and bumping Ryan Bates to right guard.
That didn’t help much, as Williams was under constant…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-training-camp-observations-murky-194320207.html
Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2024-08-04 19:43:20
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
