LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — The Bears coveted continuity for their offensive line this season, but with their opener looming Sunday, it isn't clear how that unit will take shape.
The Bears have practiced with their desired starting offensive line for just three days — and that was in veteran minicamp in June. Veteran right guard Nate Davis, who signed a three-year deal in March, elected to skip the majority of voluntary workouts and then missed much of training camp with an undisclosed injury. The Bears also have been without center/guard Cody Whitehair, center/guard Lucas Patrick, rookie tackle Darnell Wright and third-year guard Teven Jenkins during the preseason due to injuries.
As the Bears prepare to kick off the regular season Sunday against the Packers, they haven’t revealed a starting offensive line.
“It’s what we have,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Monday afternoon. “The guys are getting back in there together.
“We’re going to have to build upon that going forward into this first stack of games. That’s really all we have.”
Jenkins and second-year center Doug Kramer were placed on injured reserve to open this season and will each miss a minimum of four games. Whitehair, who was moved from guard to center earlier this offseason, shifted back to guard as he has been impacted by a left finger/hand injury that limited his snapping as a center.
It’s unclear whether Whitehair will start at center or left guard Sunday. Patrick, who was signed in 2022 to start at center, could play either center or left guard.
Whitehair wore a splint on his left hand Monday after practice, which he explained is to prevent long-term damage.
“You got to be prepared,” Whitehair said. “It’s nice that we have guys that have that position flexibility that they can change on the flip of a coin.”
The Bears utilized 10 different starting offensive line combinations in the 2022 season, during which quarterback Justin Fields was sacked an NFL-high 55 times and on 14.7% of his drop-backs.
Given the offensive line's struggles in 2022, the Bears made it a priority to upgrade that unit by signing Davis, selecting Wright with the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL Draft and shifting Whitehair back to center. Since then, the Bears have been forced to adjust their ideal starting line.
“We’ll be excited to get out there on Sunday and get rolling,” Whitehair said. “As we all know, injuries happen in this league. That’s why it’s important to have good depth players like we do. Just excited to get out there with this group of five and get rolling.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.