Cody Whitehair hurt his right hand last month during joint practices. He has a brace on the pinkie on his left hand, too, what he describes as a step he has taken to prevent long-term damage.
Neither affects his ability to snap, Whitehair said. The question now becomes: Will the Bears need him to?
Whitehair began the season at center but moved to left guard right around the time of his right hand injury. That’s when Teven Jenkins suffered a leg injury that eventually would land him on injured reserve. It looks as if Whitehair will stay at left guard, with Lucas Patrick or new acquisition Dan Feeney playing center the first month of the season.
Whitehair played left guard last year, working next to tackle Braxton Jones.
“I was fortunate to be able to work with Braxton all of last year, too, so it’s kind of like riding a bike again,” Whitehair said. “I’ve been working those fits a little more before and after practice. Getting better continuity there is the biggest thing.”
This and that
Coach Matt Eberflus would not publicly name a No. 2 quarterback — either veteran Nathan Peterman or rookie Tyson Bagent. The team is expected to release a depth chart Tuesday.
• Linebacker Dylan Cole, who is expected to be a special-teams stalwart, stretched with the team but did not have a helmet. Everyone else appeared healthy.
• The Bears will practice in pads Wednesday, shells Thursday and helmets and shorts Friday.
