After two days of practice, the Chicago Bears have gone without several starters present ahead of their Week 4 road game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Among the group, right tackle Darnell Wright and tight end Colston Loveland are the newest significant additions.
Loveland, the No. 10 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, is dealing with a hip injury that he picked up in the Week 4 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Wright, No. 10 in 2023, suffered an elbow injury in that same game.
Recent Top Picks Colston Loveland, Darnell Wright Miss Bears Practice
Bears’ Colston Loveland, Darnell Wright Miss Another Practice
Neither Loveland nor Wright has practiced this week, and it could significantly alter how the Bears operate on game day or even how they set up their roster for the contest. The Bears replaced Wright with 2024 undrafted free agent Theo Benedet during the game.
Benedet was in the mix for the starting left tackle job in training camp, but has experience on both sides and at guard.
However, he may not be the Bears’ first choice if Wright cannot go against the Raiders.
Rookie second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo, the No. 56 overall selection of the 2025 NFL Draft, also competed to start at LT. However, he was a healthy scratch in Weeks 2 and 3. Trapilo could get called into action at RT, his natural position, if Wright is absent.
The Bears are down another tackle, 2023 third-rounder Kiran Amegadjie, who is on injured reserve with an elbow injury.
They are better prepared at tight end, with Cole Kmet still healthy and Durham Smythe on hand.
Moving Benedet into the starting lineup would remove him from his role as an additional blocker when reporting as eligible. The Bears could slide Trapilo into that role, keeping the rookie from facing Raiders star Maxx Crosby.
Bears Missing Trio of Veterans
Cornerback Kyler Gordon, linebacker T.J. Edwards, and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett all missed practice on Thursday.
Edwards has not practiced since September 12. He suited up for the Bears’ Week 2 contest against the Detroit Lions, but left early after aggravating the hamstring issue that has him trending towards being sidelined again for the Raiders game.
Gordon has not practiced since September 7. It was then that he injured his hamstring.
The latter has not played a down this season, while both players signed multi-year contract extensions this past offseason.
Jarrett was among the Bears’ prized offseason acquisitions, signing in free agency from the Atlanta Falcons. A two-time Pro Bowler, Jarrett has quickly become a vocal leader in the Bears’ locker room and on the field.
The Bears are also without star cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who is also on IR (groin).
The other concern for Chicago is D’Andre Swift, who remained limited for the second straight day after following a similar pattern in Week 3. The Bears have one more practice this week.
Jarrett might be able to tough it out through a game without practicing. It is more difficult to envision Loveland or Wright, let alone Edwards or Gordon, playing in Week 4 without at least one session before the game.