Amid all of the disappointment in the Chicago Bears’ loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4, they did get one step closer to whole along the offensive line with Nate Davis making his return to the starting group.
“Felt good being out there with my brothers. Sucks we couldn’t get the dub though,” Davis said after Sunday’s loss. “But it was just cool to be out there playing football again. … I’m very appreciative and, honestly, lucky to have a team that supports me as much as they do. And not even just the team – the players, coaching staff, everybody. [I’m] honestly blessed.”
Nate Davis ‘Lucky’ to Have Bears by His Side
Davis served as a backup in the Week 3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He missed the Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while still dealing with a loss in the family.
The Bears remained mum, needing a leaked report to admit that much but supporting Davis.
It wasn’t the cleanest game. Davis was credited with allowing nine pressures in Week 4, per Pro Football Focus. But that was the fourth-most on the team. And it was a much-needed step in the right direction for a maligned offensive line still missing two more starters.
Davis’ tenure began with the former Tennesee Titan rarely practicing or even attending the offseason program. He then missed much of the preseason amid the cloud of secrecy.
He inked a three-year, $30 million contract this past offseason as one of the top free agents.
Bears Offensive Line Helps Lead to Banner Day for Justin Fields
Even with Davis’ grade not necessarily reflecting it, the offensive line held up enough for quarterback Justin Fields to have his best day as a passer in his career. Fields completed 28-of-35 passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns. He did throw one interception and have one fumble which occurred while taking one of his four sacks on the day.
But the offensive line also helped running back Khalil Herbert churn out 103 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries. It was Herbert’s best day as the Bears’ true featured back. He outcarried rookie backup Roschon Johnson 18-5 and was appreciative of his blockers.
“O-line was just opening up holes, allowing me to run through,” Herbert said. “That’s it: O-line did a great job today.”
Davis’ comments on what was different about the day were telling.
“Just honed in on the little details: playing together, communication, stuff like that,” the soft-spoken Davis explained. “Just the little things like that that start adding up to scores, and we did score.”
Fields has his FOURTH touchdown pass of the game!
📺: #DENvsCHI on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Jq9JHUeqb6 pic.twitter.com/4PtGwey89l— NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2023
Nearly to a man, Bears players cited execution or details in some form or fashion as the reason the team blew a 21-point lead, failing to do any of the things that helped them establish it after their first drive of the second half. It was a loss that took a clear toll on the team and has created even more questions despite the Bears making notable progress in some other key areas.
Not only with Fields’ potential building-block performance. But also with Davis just the first step to an offensive line that has yet to play together as it was intended.
Bears Designate Teven Jenkins to Return from Injured Reserve
Starting left guard Teven Jenkins opened the season on injured reserve after suffering a calf injury during a team workout in the preseason. Jenkins was arguably the Bears’ best run blocker, if not offensive lineman, last season.
The team designated him to return from the injured list on October 2.
That move opens a 21-day practice window for them to make a final determination on whether or not to activate him which would require a corresponding roster move.
Jenkins has been seen ramping up in recent weeks. He was listed as a full participant in Monday’s walkthrough practice, though that was just a walkthrough with the Bears on a short week and having to travel to fave the Washington Commanders. Still, this is another positive development for a team that still needs a lot of them.
Jenkins will be the first of what head coach Matt Eberflus suggested could be a string of returnees from the injured list with cornerback Kyler Gordon and left tackle Braxton Jones both eligible to return in the coming weeks.