Teven Jenkins said the conversation was short.
Chicago Bears coaches let the offensive lineman know he was moving from right guard back to left guard with the return of Nate Davis to the lineup. Jenkins said he responded, “All right. No problem.”
Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday that Davis is expected to return Sunday against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field after a four-game absence because of a high ankle sprain. The Bears determined that Davis’ experience at right guard and Jenkins’ flexibility to play on both sides made the switch the right move.
“I trust everything upstairs,” Jenkins said. “They’re trying to put the best five out there, and if it comes down to what it is right now, I trust them.”
Jenkins played the last four games at right guard while Davis was out, settling into a groove alongside rookie right tackle Darnell Wright. Before that, Jenkins had one start at left guard against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 15. A week earlier, he played in a left guard rotation as he ramped up from a four-game absence because of a calf injury.
Jenkins said “anybody in the league” likely would prefer to stay on one side.
“But I feel like it gives me a one-up, jgives me a plus when you’re looking at me, just to be able to play both sides,” he said.
Jenkins said there are a few challenges to making the switch.
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“Just the mental aspect of weight distribution, and now my left hip is a little tighter than my right hip,” he said. “I’ve got to get that loosened up, so I get used to going to that side. I’m working with (left tackle Braxton Jones) now, so that will be a little different as well. So it’s just understanding what he needs and wants.”
Eberflus and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy commended the adaptability of Jenkins, who also switched to guard from tackle before his second season in 2022.
“He has really grown in front of our eyes,” Eberflus said. “You see him being a pro consistently, day in and day out, during practices, showing up every day, putting the work in, and it’s starting to pay off for him. He has had some good battles.”
Davis’ return will mean the Bears are the healthiest they’ve been on the offensive line all season after the return of Jones from a neck injury two games ago.
“We’re excited to kind of finally get some extra pieces back and have some depth there,” Getsy said.
The shuffling and the Bears preference to keep Lucas Patrick at center means guard/center Cody Whitehair, who has started 117 games for the Bears since 2016, is expected to be on the bench Sunday.
Eberflus said such decisions “are always hard.”
“Cody has been a true pro,” Eberflus said. “Obviously a captain here for many years, had a great long career and is still going to continue to help us as we go. That’s our starting lineup for this week and you know things can happen like that and he’s back into the mix at center, guard, wherever it might be.”
Bears running back Khalil Herbert, who is working his way back from injured reserve following an ankle injury, practiced in full Thursday.
After practice, the Bears waived running back Darrynton Evans, whom they had signed following Herbert’s injury.
Running back D’Onta Foreman was limited in practice with an ankle injury. If Foreman is ready to play Sunday, the Bears will have a decision to make about how they will handle the running back rotation.
“We’re excited to get (Herbert) back on the field,” Getsy said. “And exactly how much or what all that looks like, we’ve got to figure that out. Who’s all healthy, who’s able to go and then on top of that how much can you go when you haven’t played in a few weeks too?”
The Bears have a few linebackers banged up. Tremaine Edmunds (knee) didn’t practice, and Noah Sewell (knee) was limited. Jack Sanborn (ankle) returned to practice in full after he was limited Wednesday.