Bears’ Teven Jenkins out indefinitely with leg injury, expected to miss start of 2023 season, per report

Teven Jenkins used to be arguably the most productive offensive lineman at the Chicago Bears final season. Now, the crew may have to make do and not using a key section of its offense for a while. 

Jenkins is out indefinitely with a leg damage with his timeline to go back unknown, according to ESPN. The left guard is expected to miss a minimum of the primary month because the Bears may not have a key cog of their line for a minimum of the primary 3 video games. 

With Jenkins out, Chicago’s offensive line continues to be decimated right through coaching camp. Starting middle Cody Whitehair has a hand damage that has saved him out whilst backup guard/middle Lucas Patrick has neglected maximum of camp with an undisclosed damage. Nate Davis returned from damage final week. 

The accidents to the internal of the Bears’ offensive line may have an affect on Justin Fields’ construction in 2023, as a passer anyway. Chicago hasn’t ever had a quarterback throw for 4,000 yards nor cross for 30 touchdowns in a season — the one franchise in NFL historical past to now not have both. Fields may well be the primary after a 2022 season during which he finished 60.4% of his passes for two,242 yards and 17 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. 

Fields additionally rushed for 1,143 yards and 8 touchdowns, completing with the second-most speeding yards for a quarterback in a season. He’s the primary quarterback on file to file 3 or extra speeding touchdowns of 50-plus yards in one season.

The Bears could have to depend on Fields to run greater than standard whilst Jenkins is out, particularly since he used to be arguably their perfect cross protector final yr. He allowed simply two sacks and 10 pressures on 284 pass-blocking snaps, with a three.5% power fee allowed per dropback — whilst enjoying proper guard.

Jenkins used to be slotted in as left guard for 2023, covered up subsequent to Braxton Jones to shore up the left aspect of the offensive line. With Jenkins and Patrick out in the meanwhile, Alex Leatherwood can be subsequent in line to start on the place.