Among the many underlying storylines coming out of the Chicago Bears’ loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 8 was the loss of starting left tackle Braxton Jones to a knee injury. He was replaced by rookie Kiran Amegadjie, who acquitted himself well after a rough start.
However, Jones’ potential absence looms large for an offense still trying to find its way with rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.
Fortunately for the Bears, it appears they avoided a worst-case scenario.
Braxton Jones ‘Week-to-Week’ After Knee Injury in Bears’ Loss
Braxton Jones’ Durability a Memory
#Bears LT Braxton Jones, who was knocked out yesterday because of a knee injury, got good news today, source said,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported in a post on X on October 28. “He may miss a week or two, but it’s not considered a major injury. Week-to-week.”
Jones was the third highest-graded pass-blocker among the Bears’ starting offensive linemen in Week 8, per Pro Football Focus.
He was also third among the group in true pass sets. Jones was last in run blocking, though.
Jones started all 17 games as a rookie. But he has now dealt with injuries in back-to-back seasons, missing six games with a next injury. Jones spoke with Clocker Sports ahead of the Bears’ matchup versus the Commanders about that change.
“The biggest thing with that is just being right in the mind and just kind of trying to get the best out of these injuries and get back the best I can,” Jones told Clocker Sports before practice on Thursday, October 24. “It’s just tough on your mind and being able to tell yourself, ‘You’re good. You can still go out there and do the things you’ve been doing,’ and stuff like that. So that’s been the toughest thing.
“Just a little adversity. This is the National Football League; There is going to be injuries. So just dealing with that and keep on striving always.”
The Bears went 2-4 without Jones (and a host of other players) in the lineup in 2023.
Bears Set to Reshuffle O-Line Amid Braxton Jones Injury
Amegadjie stepped in for Jones during the game. However, the Bears have options for their Week 9 visit to the Arizona Cardinals, who are coming off a 28-27 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Week 8. They can kick Matt Pryor from his starting right guard spot to left tackle.
That would mean either replacing him with Doug Kramer – whose failed exchange with Caleb Williams at the goal line has been overshadowed by the final play — or activating Nate Davis.
Davis would seem like a logical choice.
He started the first two weeks of the season but lost his job to Pryor and was inactive versus the Commanders, most likely because he does not offer positional versatility. The Bears could also turn to Bill Murray who stepped in in Week 8 for Teven Jenkins before he returned to the game.