Disaster struck the Chicago Bears’ offensive line during their Week 16 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Starting left tackle Braxton Jones went down with a gruesome left ankle injury midway through the second quarter and had to be carted off the field. The severity of the injury remains unknown, but it appears the Bears may have lost their blindside protector for the rest of the season.
Jones Suffers Devastating Ankle Injury
The devastating injury occurred with 9:18 remaining in the second quarter. Lions defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike landed awkwardly on Jones’ right leg while the tackle was engaged in pass protection. Jones immediately crumpled to the turf in obvious pain, clutching at his left ankle.
Bears medical staff rushed onto the field to attend to the fallen lineman as concerned teammates looked on. After several minutes, trainers stabilized Jones’ injured leg in an air cast before carefully loading him onto the medical cart. In a somber scene, the entire Bears sideline came onto the field to show their support as Jones was driven back to the locker room for further evaluation.
You never want to see a teammate go down like that. Braxton has been playing at such a high level for us. We’re going to miss his presence out there, but we’ll be playing for him now.
– Bears QB Justin Fields
Bears’ O-Line Depth Takes Another Hit
Making matters worse for Chicago, starting left guard Teven Jenkins also exited the game shortly before Jones’ injury with a calf issue. He was quickly ruled out, further decimating the left side of the Bears’ line. The team will now be forced to rely on unproven backups to fill the void as they attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive in the competitive NFC.
- Impact on Justin Fields’ protection
- Challenges for the running game
- Potential lineup adjustments
Extent of Jones’ Injury Unknown
The Bears did not provide an immediate update on the severity of Jones’ ankle injury. However, the fact that an air cast was required and he could not put any weight on the leg suggests it is likely a significant issue. High ankle sprains and fractures are two of the most concerning possibilities that could sideline the second-year pro for a considerable length of time.
Selected in the 2nd round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of USC, Jones has been a stalwart at left tackle during his first two seasons, starting 28 out of a possible 30 games. His steady presence and ability to handle elite pass rushers has been a major key to the progress of franchise QB Justin Fields. Losing Jones for any amount of time would be a huge blow to Chicago’s offensive continuity.
Ramifications for Bears’ Season
At 6-8 entering Week 16, the Bears remain in the thick of the NFC wild card chase despite an up-and-down season. But their margin for error is slim, and losing two starting offensive linemen could prove too much to overcome. Pass protection issues plagued the team earlier in the year, and a patchwork line may not provide Fields with the time he needs to fully utilize Chicago’s explosive receiving weapons.
The running game, which has been the Bears’ identity, will also face a stiff test without Jones and Jenkins paving the way. It puts even more pressure on sophomore sensation Javonte Reese to generate yardage behind a hobbled line. How well the reserves step up could make or break Chicago’s postseason aspirations in a tightly bunched conference.
As of now, all the Bears can do is await further word on Braxton Jones and hope for the best. But no matter the prognosis, losing their pillar at left tackle for any length of time deals a cruel blow to a team scrapping and clawing for every win. We should know more in the coming days about whether Jones has a chance to return in 2024 or if Chicago will be forced to navigate the remainder of a tumultuous season without him.
