(670 The Score) Bears left tackle Braxton Jones' third NFL season ended after a dozen games in 2024 due to a left ankle fracture.
Jones underwent surgery to repair the injury, and he's expected to open training camp as a limited participant, head coach Ben Johnson told reporters Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings. Beyond that, Johnson is hopeful about what Jones can bring the Bears once he's healthy.
“The progress is right where it needs to be right now,” Johnson said. “And, yes, absolutely. Listen, the No. 1 thing in my opinion that tackles need to do is pass protect. OK? And so, I think he’s got the feet to get that done. We’re going to challenge him to maybe gain a little bit more weight so that he can anchor a little bit better in pass pro. But everything I’ve seen so far has shown a phenomenal athlete out there on the edge that we feel like we can work with.”
A three-year starter for the Bears at left tackle, Jones is entering the final season of his rookie contract. He made 17 starts as a rookie in 2022 but has been limited by injuries across the last two seasons, missing 11 total games. Drafting another offensive tackle remains a possibility for the Bears, who hold the No. 10 overall pick and two selections in the second round.