Windy City Gridiron
The Chicago Bears revealed their second injury report this week, and starting right tackle Darnell Wright missed another day with the elbow injury he sustained against the Dallas Cowboys. We’ll find out his game status for this Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders after tomorrow’s practice, but based on how he finished the Dallas game and his not practicing today or yesterday, I’d say there’s a chance he’s held out in Vegas.
If Wright can’t go, do you want to see Theo Benedet or Ozzy Trapilo get the nod at right tackle?
When Wright needed a few plays off last week, it was second-year pro Benedet who replaced him, and he looked decent in relief. Benedet has been active all season and has been getting reps as the OL6 in jumbo packages, as well as serving as the swing tackle. The former 2024 UDFA from the University of British Columbia had a solid offseason that saw him work his way into the left tackle competition while earning his spot on the 53-man roster as a reserve.
Rookie second-round pick Traplio was also in the left tackle mix, but when it became apparent to the coaches that he wasn’t going to win that job, they moved him back to the right side, where he mostly played at Boston College.
He was inactive the last two games, but that’s likely because he’s exclusively been playing on the right side in practice. Head coach Ben Johnson talked about Trapilo last week.
“He’s getting better every day,” Johnson said about Trapilo. “I just made a comment to the O-line coaches this morning how much better he looks in the individual and some of the run stuff that we’re doing on Wednesdays in pads. He’s really showing up. So, he’s coming along, and there will be a point this season where he’s playing for us. Is that this week or a few weeks down the road? I don’t know, but he’s preparing as if he’s ready to go.”
If Wright is unable to play, I think Trapilo makes the most sense to start, with Benedet still serving as the swing and the extra tight end. Regardless of who starts, they’ll have a tough matchup in Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, who is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Expect plenty of chip and slide help to Maxx’s side.
Here’s the full Thursday report from the Bears.
