When Justin Fields takes the Bears’ first offensive snap on MNF, he’ll have a new blindside protector.
Left tackle Jason Peters is OUT for Monday’s game against the Vikings. Peters went down in the first quarter of last week’s game against the Packers, then didn’t return. The 39-year-old tackle was a non-participant in practice all week, so it doesn’t come as a surprise to see Peters being unavailable for Monday Night Football.
This leaves rookie Teven Jenkins manning the position in Peters’ place. Jenkins was in on 49 snaps last week in Green Bay, but that came just one week after playing just two special teams snaps in his professional debut. It wasn’t pretty for Jenkins at tackle in his debut as an offensive lineman. But let’s remember it had been more than a calendar year since Jenkins was put into a game situation. In other words, let’s keep some perspective as we evaluate the young tackle making his first pro start under the bright lights of Monday Night Football.
As for the rest of the injury report:
#Bears Saturday injury report: pic.twitter.com/li5EBaCXpc
— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) December 18, 2021
Perhaps Chicago’s defense will get a boost with two possible returns. Linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) and defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (ankle) were full participants in Saturday’s practice. This puts each as questionable to play on Monday. For Hicks, it would be his first game action since Week 9. There was hope Hicks would be back last week, but a last minute snag kept him off the field. Hopefully, no such issues will pop up this time around.
Cornerback Xavier Crawford and safety DeAndre Houston-Carson join Peters in being out for Monday. Crawford went into concussion protocol after last week’s game, while Houston-Carson’s forearm injury will necessitate surgical repair. Defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga (shoulder) and receiver Marquise Goodwin (foot) are doubtful to see action with their respective injuries. We’ll see how the Bears handle those situations on game day. But I’d guess neither will be active.
We’ll have more on the injury front depending on what develops between now and Monday’s game.
