Former OSU Offensive Lineman Healthy, Will Play in Thursday Night Football For Chicago Bears
The Oklahoma State football program has developed some incredible NFL talents. One of those has been Teven Jenkins, who was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.
Now, Jenkins heads into his third NFL season for the Bears, blocking for Justin Fields. He's yet to have played this season, as he's been dealing with calf injuries. He started the season on injured reserve, but, according to Adam Schefter, Jenkins is prepared to make his season debut against the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Bears' run-blocking game has been bad this season, and their pass game has been below average. The offensive line needs to be better if the Bears want to pull the best out of Fields and the rest of the offense, and Jenkins returning helps that plenty.
Jenkins returning could be exactly what the Bears need to kick things in gear and get better blocking in the run game.
In 2019, Jenkins won the OSU Thurman Thomas award, which is given to the most outstanding player on the offensive side of the ball. He was outstanding in college for the Cowboys, rarely giving up pressures or sacks while providing mean blocks in the run game, which is something the Bears could use significantly right now.
The jump Jenkins made from the 2021 NFL season to the 2022 NFL season, according to PFF's grading system, was significant. Remaining healthy remains the biggest hurdle in his NFL career, and if he can find a way to consistently remain on the field, he can be a key piece to Fields' and the Bears' offensive line as they look to improve in that area of the game.
It's good to see Jenkins back on the field for Week 5 of the NFL.
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