Bears digest: Charles Leno learning both sides

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Due to injury and inconsistency, Charles Leno Jr., has been playing both left and right tackle for the Bears. (AP)

Day 20

Leno: to the letter, man

If there’s any silver lining to right tackle Jordan Mills’ struggles and left tackle Jermon Bushrod’s balky back, it’s that Charles Leno, Jr., gets experience at both spots. He did so Wednesday.

“If you asked them, they’d prefer to be on one side, just like outside linebackers, just like corners, just like any other position,” coach John Fox said Wednesday after practice at Halas Hall. “There’s some cross training there assignment-wise.

“The verbiage is similar, but technique-wise, it’s just different. Your sets are different, your post foot different, things that technically they have to do.

“All-in-all, I think it’s good work (other than) all the sudden, throw him on the side and say ‘have at it’ — and they’re in the middle of a game.”

No rush

Fox isn’t looking to figure out his opening day lineup by the end of Saturday’s preseason game — although it’d be nice.

“You can look back at the New England Patriots next year; they weren’t even close to their Super Bowl starting offensive line in Week 6,” Fox said. “Ideally you want your starting group to start the season be the same as it is in the last game of the year. But very seldom does that happen.”

On injuries

Safety Ryan Mundy remained out with a hip injury, while tight end end Chris Pantale missed practice again because of illness. Jermon Bushord returned to practice after walking out of it Tuesday with a back injury.

Follow me on Twitter @PatrickFinley

Email: pfinley@suntimes.com

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