Offensive line play has been one of many greatest points with this Chicago Bears group all season lengthy, and the record of issues continues to get even longer. Throughout Sunday’s 34-17 loss towards the Detroit Lions, Bears left deal with Braxton Jones suffered an ankle damage and was carted off the sphere.
It seems that Jones fractured his ankle within the loss and might be out for the remainder of the season whereas he recovers, however the damage is not as unhealthy because it may very well be in response to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.
“Bears OT Braxton Jones, who was carted off yesterday, is believed to have suffered a fractured ankle, supply says,” Rapoport reported on X, previously Twitter. “He’s nonetheless present process checks, however as of now, it’s simply the fibula, not the tibia, as nicely. Jones faces a four-month restoration, again lengthy earlier than coaching camp.”
Fortunately, the Bears simply have two video games left this season. Nevertheless, it appears like rookie quarterback Caleb Williams goes to be working for his life much more than normal over the ultimate two weeks of the season as one of many Bears’ solely constant offensive linemen has gone down.
Caleb Williams displaying flashes as rookie season nears finish
Caleb Williams’ rookie 12 months hasn’t been excellent in Chicago, however he has continued to get higher and higher all through the season. Williams misplaced a fumble throughout yesterday’s loss, however apart from that he performed a really clear recreation and confirmed why he was the highest choose within the draft.
Williams was working from the pocket successfully on Sunday towards a Lions protection that’s extraordinarily banged up, however has nonetheless been a really stable unit this season. He additionally sprinkled his normal creation out of construction to create some explosive performs.
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On high of that, it looks as if Williams is constructing some extra chemistry with rookie receiver Rome Odunze and veteran Keenan Allen. He discovered Odunze over the center for a few good video games and he and Allen have been lastly in a position to join on a sideline shot for an extended landing.
It hasn’t been fairly always this 12 months from Williams. Generally, he nonetheless holds the ball too lengthy within the pocket, and his accuracy has been sporadic all through the season. Nevertheless, he has been dealing with the psychological elements of the sport — management on the line of scrimmage, dealing with protections, and so on. — like a veteran up to now, and he ought to have the ability to construct on that in 12 months two.
Clearly, Williams’ trajectory going ahead relies on the Bears nailing their impending head coach rent. The Bears have not had a monitor report of nailing a majority of these issues, but when they will pair Williams with a promising younger head coach who’s an innovator and a great play caller/play designer on the offensive aspect of the ball, the rookie has an opportunity to develop into one of many high quarterbacks within the league over the subsequent couple of years.