Two injuries that could have an impact on the Chicago Bears' 2025 NFL Draft plans are the ankle injury Braxton Jones suffered at the end of the 2024 season and the concussion that ended Jaquan Brisker's season after Week 5.
Recently, Jones provided an update that he was no longer in a walking boot. With that update, there was a sense that Jones could be ready for football activity by the time the Bears start training camp in July.
Ben Johnson confirmed that Jones is on track with his recovery while also adding what the start to training camp may look like for the Bears' current starting left tackle.
"I think he's right on track," Johnson told reporters at the NFL's Owners Meetings. "Will that mean he's limited in training camp? I would say probably at this point, but I think the progress is right where it needs to be right now."
Braxton Jones, Jaquan Brisker injury updates
Addressing the left tackle position is something that many want to see the Bears do during the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. If LSU's Will Campbell is available when the Bears are on the clock with the No. 10 selection, it would be hard for the front office to pass on potentially finding a long-term answer at left tackle. His recovery not withstanding, Jones is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
Brisker is also entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Bears. After suffering his third concussion in as many seasons with the Bears, it hasn't been made clear until this week if Brisker would be ready for the start of the 2025 season. In speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Johnson did confirm that he was under the impression that the Bears' safety has been medically cleared to return.
When healthy, Brisker has proven to be on the ascent toward being one of the best safeties in the NFL. Unfortunately, concussions have forced him to miss multiple games in each season that he has been in the NFL. Given that history, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Bears added a safety during the middle rounds of the draft. Especially when you consider Kevin Byard is also in the final year of his deal with the Bears.