NEWSLETTER
There was an unspoken understanding about what the signing of left tackle Jason Peters meant for the Chicago Bears. But also, specifically, rookie offensive tackle Teven Jenkins.
Now, finally, the unspoken is being said. And the news isn’t great:
Coach Nagy announced that Teven Jenkins will be undergoing back surgery today saying, "The goal is to get him back this season."
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 18, 2021
Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy told reporters Jenkins was having back surgery today. It is a procedure the team hopes will allow him to come back later this year. But to be honest, it is tough to think about a player’s return when (1) the operation won’t happen until later today and (2) back issues are generally tough to deal with for anyone, let alone someone who the team lists at 6-6 and 320 pounds.
Jenkins, 23, was the Bears’ second-round pick in last April’s NFL Draft. The Oklahoma State product was a top tackle prospect with a first-round projection who fell to the second round. Perhaps a medical red flag is a reason Jenkins’ draft stock took a tumble. Nagy did acknowledge (per Kevin Fishbain) that the team was aware of Jenkins’ back issues in college. However, Nagy clarified the issues that are causing him to have surgery are new. In any case, the news is a bummer and the timing stinks. The back problems have kept Jenkins from practicing in training, and the surgery to fix them will keep him out for the foreseeable future.
In the meantime, Peters is set to take over as the team’s starting left tackle with Elijah Wilkinson serving as the next in line. I suppose this is where the next-man-up mantra of football teams takes center stage. But to see the Bears trading up in the second round to take a left tackle to protect a franchise QB type of prospect, only to have his future thrown up in the air before his first preseason game stings. Nevertheless, we’ll continue to monitor the situation as details become available.
