The Chicago Bears will likely field a different offensive line for Thursday night's matchup against the New England Patriots.
Veteran right guard Jonah Jackson played his last offensive snap with 7:31 left in the third quarter. He left the game with a left hip injury. Luke Newman replaced Jackson for the rest of the game, playing 27 snaps and allowing only one total quarterback pressure.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler provided an update on Jackson, stating that he is dealing with a hip flexor injury and is considered week-to-week. He didn’t practice during Monday’s walkthrough, although his participation is an estimate. Jackson was limited in Tuesday's practice.
Jackson’s status for Thursday night is up in the air.
WIth Jonah Jackson's status up in the air, the Bears could turn to Luke Newman
The Bears had a next-man-up mentality in Week 6 against the Falcons, with several players filling in for starters who missed last Sunday's game. If Jackson misses Thursday night's matchup against the Patriots, this will be his first game missed as a member of the Bears organization.
But the Bears will have Newman and veteran Jordan McFadden as options to play at right guard. Newman is a former sixth-round draft pick from Michigan State. This is his second season with head coach Ben Johnson.
He played 25 total offensive snaps as a rookie, and 20 of them were at right guard after Jackson left the game with an eye injury. If Newman has to play against the Patriots, he would be sandwiched between eight-year veteran center Garrett Bradbury and second-team All-Pro right tackle Darnell Wright, who is in his fourth year with the Bears.
That’s a lot of experience and two quality players to line up next to for Newman in what could be his first career NFL start. Here's how the Patriots’ interior defensive line stacks up in pressures and sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.
Milton Williams leads the Patriots' interior defenders with 13 total quarterback pressures and one sack. Christian Barmore has eight QB pressures and two sacks, and Cory Durden has another seven QB pressures.
Like any NFL team, coaches look for matchups they can potentially exploit. New England head coach Mike Vrabel will do the same on Thursday night, so Newman will have to show he can handle the twists and pressure he will likely face if he starts.
Read more: Bears should want Jahdae Walker to stay aggressive despite his Week 6 mistakes
McFadden could provide the Bears with a more experienced option. He played 81 offensive snaps against the Rams in the divisional round last season.
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