Amid a recent NFL Network report that offensive tackle Teven Jenkins is on the trading block, Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said the “super talented” Jenkins will join the battle for either starting tackle position when he returns from an unspecified injury.
That’s the Bears’ story, and they’re sticking to it.
Jenkins, a second-round draft pick (39th overall) in 2021, missed his seventh consecutive practice Friday. Since general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus took over, Jenkins was demoted to second-team right tackle in the offseason program, opened training camp as a backup and has been out with the mysterious injury that might or might not be related to the back injury he came to camp with — and led to surgery — last season.
“He’s going to get thrown into the mix of this competition at the tackles,” Getsy said. “This is an open [competition] — right, left, whatever. We’re trying to find the best five. So when he gets back, he’s someone who’s super talented that should jump in there, and hopefully he takes advantage of the opportunities he’s going to get.”
The Bears’ purposeful vagueness about Jenkins’ absence has led to speculation about their belief in him, his belief in the Bears and his future with the team. Eberflus has neither disclosed the nature of the injury nor given a timetable for Jenkins’ return. He’s been “day-to-day” for nine days.
Asked if Jenkins has been an active participant in position-group meetings, Getsy was enthusiastic. “Oh, yeah, Teven’s been great,” he said. “He’s been attentive. He’s all in. Once he gets through this deal, he’ll be back out there ready to rock and roll.”
Quinn out
Defensive end Robert Quinn, also a subject of trade speculation, did not participate in practice. Eberflus did not speak to the media, and the Bears gave no explanation for Quinn’s absence, which came after an off day for the team.
Linebacker Roquan Smith, on the physically unable-to-perform list as a contract holdout since the start of camp, again attended practice but did not participate.
Rookie cornerback Kyler Gordon, cornerback Kindle Vildor and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga also did not practice, all for undisclosed reasons.
CB Harris signed
The Bears signed veteran cornerback Davontae Harris and defensive lineman Trevon Coley and waived cornerback Jon Alexander and defensive lineman Auzoyah Alufohai.
Magical Mystery Tour
Getsy — who used to be Aaron Rodgers’ position coach — joked that he had nothing to do with the Packers quarterback’s South American trips to use psychedelics.
“I was not invited on those trips,” a grinning Getsy said after practice. “I didn’t know all that stuff.
“I haven’t watched that yet, but obviously I’ve been informed by a lot of people about that stuff. Whatever it takes, I guess.”
In a podcast released this week, Rodgers said that using the plant ayahuasca made him feel a “magical experience” that led to him loving himself more.
He said it wasn’t coincidental that he put together back-to-back NFL MVP seasons after traveling to South America to use the plant.