LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- New Bears center Lucas Patrick is expected to miss an extended period of training camp after suffering a right hand injury Thursday.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus on Friday declined to offer specifics on Patrick's injury. The team is uncertain on a timetable for Patrick's return, though Eberflus indicated it will likely be a multi-week absence. Patrick's injury occurred during an 11-on-11 drill in practice Thursday morning. He walked off the field alongside trainers and was taken in for further observation.
Patrick, 28, joined the Bears on a two-year deal this offseason. He has been projected to start at center. It's unclear whether his absence will linger into the start of the regular season.
Without Patrick, the Bears turned to Sam Mustipher and rookie Doug Kramer at center. The team has frequently shuffled its starting offensive line throughout the offseason program and early on in training camp as part of the ongoing evaluation of the group.
Veteran newcomers Riley Reiff and Michael Schofield are also working into form after each signed with the Bears earlier this week. On Friday, the Bears lined up four rookies – Kramer, Braxton Jones (left tackle), Zachary Thomas (left guard) and Ja'Tyre Carter (right guard) -- on the same first-team offensive line.
"Great experience for those guys going against the one defensive line and the one defense," Eberflus said of those four rookies. "I thought that was excellent.
"It's always tough to be a rookie. You're always learning. That's my message to them, is learn."
Bears second-year offensive tackle Teven Jenkins wasn't present at practice Friday for a second straight day. He's working through an issue with trainers, Eberflus said without sharing further details. As a rookie last season, Jenkins missed all of training camp while dealing with a back injury. He underwent surgery in August and played in just six games as a rookie.
Hired by the Bears in late January, Eberflus has been protective of his players' injury statuses. He has cited "competitive advantage" as the reason for why he has declined to offer injury details. NFL teams aren't required to offer an injury report until the start of the regular season.
Bears left guard Cody Whitehair and tight end Ryan Griffin didn't participate in practice Friday due to veteran rest days.
The Bears will hold practice again Saturday morning before taking their first mandated off day of training camp Sunday. The team will conduct its first full-contact practice of camp Monday morning.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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