Teven Jenkins Signals Return of Stability

Bears roll with the punches up front until they're in a better position to match up against defenses.

As much as the Bears have wanted to keep the same group of offensive linemen together every game, it's been impossible to keep them together for more than two games in succession.

It's what happens when injuries affect four out of five starting offensive line positions. So they have adapted. Necessity is the mother of invention even in the trenches of the NFL.

Last week it was center Lucas Patrick going out with a concussion, Teven Jenkins returning from four missed games to play and Cody Whitehair moving back to center from guard—all while they're still without left tackle Braxton Jones with Larry Borom playing there. It was a case where necessity in training camp due to injuries helped build the positional depth to let them handle injuries.

"It's good to have that flexibility," coach Matt Eberflus said. "I'm glad that we had that opportunity during training camp to be able to flex those guys in and out when Lucas was out during training camp."

Jenkins could have had a better week to return from about six weeks away due to two calf injuries, considering the Bears had only one real non-padded practice last week before a Thursday game.

"So it felt really good especially to come back in a short work week to be out there and do what I did," Jenkins said.

The challenge of rotating offensive linemen in-game led Jenkins to call it the offensive line's best game to date. They gave up three sacks, which most teams wouldn't be happy about but when you've given up 20 in five games it represents improvement.

"I think it was because of the way we kept stepping each other up and challenging each other," Jenkins said. "And you know we had a couple guys go down and our rotation thing happened. So we really stepped up to the call and really attacked them. And they're a great defensive line and I feel like we just played good."

The positive builds confidence.

"It shows that we can do it," Jenkins said. "Those guys are good competition. And we rose up to the challenge and we feel like we're going to keep on doing it. As long as we have some more continuity and keep on getting closer in the locker room with our leadership and everything, I believe we can keep it going."

Some if not most offensive linemen don't like being called on to switch positions during a game or to play only part of a game. Jenkins got in 37 plays, so he figured he would make the most of those reps.

"The way I look at it, I mean, in my career I've done it a little bit," he said. "So, in my vision, I like to think of it as I'm only in there half the time so I can go twice as hard.

"When you're going to be rotating in and out it's hard to get your juice going because you've got to cool down. And it depends if you're starting or not, too, so it's very hard to get your mind in it. But the thing is that's the big challenge about it. But if you can keep your mind in it you're good."

They just would like to have a little bit less of a challenge in this respect, and play the same linemen for several games for a change.

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven