The Chicago Bears offense is in a bad way, and they aren’t even playing good defenses yet. Allowing six sacks against the Arizona Cardinals was a gigantic red flag that something was wrong. Even with the injuries they’ve suffered, a protection scheme shouldn’t be that bad. Yet the tape is what it is. Guys still aren’t picking up blitzes or stunts. If that weren’t bad enough, the injury bug slammed them even harder, with right tackle Darnell Wright leaving with a knee issue.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN revealed an update on that situation. He confirmed it is an MCL injury, which could see Wright miss playing time.
“Bears right tackle Darnell Wright is dealing with an MCL injury, per a source. That could put him in the week-to-week category as Chicago prepares for the Patriots on Sunday.”
This is the last thing the Bears need. Braxton Jones and Kiran Amegadjie already missed last week with injuries. If they’re out again, the team could be looking at Larry Borom and Jack Curhan as their starting tackles against New England.
That means the Bears could roll into Sunday with only one original starter on their offensive line. Jones is hurt. Coleman Shelton wasn’t the projected starter at center in camp. Nate Davis was benched. Only Teven Jenkins remains, and even he’s been battling minor ailments. This is the worst-case scenario GM Ryan Poles could’ve possibly imagined. His hope was that continuity would lead to stability on the offensive line. Instead, injuries and erratic play have led to serious questions about his unwillingness to invest greater resources up front. Now his prized #1 pick is in serious peril with the season not even half over. One can only hope Darnell Wright recovers quickly. Perhaps Jones and Amegadjie will also return to help out.
Head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron must devise a plan to safeguard Williams at all costs. If that means constant max protections and a heavy running game, so be it.
