Chicago Bears' to finish season with short-handed offensive line after Braxton Jones' injury

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears' offensive line has been banged up and shifting pieces for the entire season.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles said before the season this was the deepest offensive line he's ever had in Chicago. That was certainly tested in multiple ways and will be tested further in the final weeks of the 2024 season.

Starting left tackle Braxton Jones will undergo surgery after suffering an ankle injury against the Lions on Sunday. Jones had to be carted off with his injury.

Jones joins interior offensive lineman Ryan Bates on injured reserve. Bates was placed on injured reserve on Saturday.

That creates struggles for the Bears at a position they need continuity at.

"When you have different moving pieces, guys playing in multiple different spots, left side, right side, starting, backing up as you mentioned, o-line is a big continuity position," Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown said. "I don't care who you're playing with o-line wise, it's hard to always protect guys when it’s known passing scenarios and you're down multiple scores and have to throw it to get back in it. That also puts those guys in more exposure."

Now, the Bears will finish the season with Larry Borom at left tackle. Borom came in after Jones' injury on Sunday.

Brown had Borom on the active roster over rookie third-round pick Kiran Amegadije, who was a healthy scratch. Playing Borom in Jones' place was based on versatility.

"That decision was based on Larry's versatility," Brown said. "Obviously, Larry can play on both sides, playing right and left. Kiran has been a left tackle and kind of just as far as o-line being developmental position. 

Amegadije was coming off a rough outing against the Vikings in his first-career start on Monday Night Football. Still, it was a surprise to see the rookie as a healthy scratch on Sunday.

He'll be active on Thursday as the Bears will play all healthy players on Thursday.

Another player to monitor is left guard Teven Jenkins, who started Sunday's game but left with a calf injury and didn't return. It remains to be seen if Jenkins will play this week. The same goes for Doug Kramer who was questionable last Friday but downgraded to doubtful on Saturday.

Playing against Seattle on a short week gives the Bears a chance to beat a team that's on a two-game skid. The Seahawks are chasing a playoff berth, but have struggled with injuries in key moments.

If the Bears want to take advantage, their offensive line needs to hold up as long as it can. The Seahawks won't care about if the Bears are short-handed, which means the Bears just need to find the best combination of lineman to start on Thursday.

"The more opportunities you have guys that can be versatile and play different spots," Brown said. "We'll see how the week goes and give all the guys an opportunity to go compete."