Bears LT Jones, EDGE Sweat leave early on Thurs.

Jones injured his knee and was considered “week to week” going forward. The good news is that this means it won’t be season-ending IR, but the Bears will be without their starting left tackle for at least four games. Theo Benedet will start in his place this week. Now healthy, Ozzy Trapilo could take over that job in the coming weeks as well.

Jones is unable to play, and OT Ozzy Trapilo (knee) is not yet ready to return from his 2025 season-ending injury, so OT Theo Benedet gets the start on the left side. As far as backups go, Benedet is solid. He generally fares better as a run blocker than as a pass protector, though.

The Bears will be without their starting left tackle in Week 4 against the Jets. Johnson said second-year OT Ozzy Trapilo (knee) is “getting closer,” but he does not know if he will be able to play this week. Johnson adds that LG Joe Thuney and his backup, OG Jordan McFadden, can play offensive tackle if needed.

This will be Trapilo’s first padded practice since he ruptured his patellar tendon as a rookie last season. The 2025 second-round pick was putting together a solid first season when he suffered the injury. He may not be ready to resume playing on game day yet, but he will serve as a top-tier backup and potentially even challenge for a starting job when he returns. Bears coach Ben Johnson spoke positively about LT Braxton Jones. Bears RT Darnell Wright has been playing through a knee injury.

Wills was reportedly escorted away by a member of the Bears’ training staff. The 27-year-old tackle’s career has been badly impacted by injuries. He was competing for the Bears’ starting left tackle job, but was working with the second-team offense while OT Braxton Jones worked exclusively with the first-stringers today.

Trapilo even resumed practicing today. This is quite an accomplishment. Trapilo suffered a season-ending patellar tendon rupture in the Bears’ Wild Card Round win over the Packers last year. He was expected to be sidelined “deep into next year,’ per general manager Ryan Poles, but Trapilo’s recovery has apparently gone very well. Trapilo proved himself as a capable pass protector and run blocker. He may need a while to ramp up, but the Bears are currently hosting a competition for the left tackle job. Veteran OT Braxton Jones has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury, but coach Ben Johnson recently said he could resume practicing this week. He got in one limited session last week.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport called the issue a “short-term illness” when Sweat was first placed on the NFI list. It was indeed a short stay for Sweat, and he should be back at practice on Thursday. Sweat’s 10 sacks in 2025 were the second-best mark of his career. He nearly doubled his total from the previous season. He remains one of the biggest contributors on Chicago’s defense heading into his age-30 season.

Multiple reports have said that this won’t be a long stay. Sweat lead the team with 10 sacks last year. Assuming he is indeed activated soon, Sweat should have plenty of time to be ready for the start of the season.

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the deal is worth “up to” $10 million. It doesn’t necessarily exclude the Bears from taking a tackle in the draft, but it does allow them to kick that can down the road if they want to spend their capital elsewhere. Jones started four games at left tackle to open the 2025 season before a knee injury effectively ended his season. He was designated to return from injured reserve ahead of the playoffs but was never officially activated. The 2026 season will be a prove-it year for Jones.

Jones practiced in full but apparently still isn’t ready to return from his knee injury. In his continued absence, the Bears are turning to guard Joe Thuney on Caleb Williams’ blindside. That didn’t go too well for the Chiefs last season, but we digress.