A surprising name was added to the Chicago Bears' Week 15 injury report on Sunday as starting left tackle Braxton Jones was ruled out for Monday night's game after entering concussion protocol.
It's not an ideal scenario for the Bears to be facing while in the middle of a seven-game losing streak. Complicating matters for the Bears is that they are facing Brian Flores Minnesota Vikings' defense. While Flores didn't overwhelm rookie Caleb Williams with blitzes when the Bears faced the Vikings at Solider Field last month, Monday night could tell a different story.
In examining Flores' defenses, he often doesn't blitz quarterbacks who he respects. It speaks to Williams' progress that Flores showed him that form of respect in their first matchup. Considering the struggles that the Bears have had at left tackle this season in Jones' absence, it goes without saying that Flores will force the issue.
2024 third-round draft pick Kiran Amegadjie will be making his first career start against the Vikings tonight. When the Bears selected Amegadjie in the 2024 draft, it was a reach. By many talent evaluators, Amegadjie was considered to be a project with the idea being that his rookie campaign would be more of a redshirt season.
Rookie Kiran Amegadjie will start at left tackle tonight in place of Braxton Jones (concussion), who was a late add to the injury report.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) December 16, 2024
Bears opting to get a look at the 3rd rounder over veteran Larry Borom, who had two starts at LT in Weeks 9-10.
In the limited snaps that Amegadjie has had on the offensive line this season, he has been stronger in run protection than he has in pass protection. If nothing else, Monday will be a full-game sample size for where the rookie tackle is in his development.
While the Bears will need to address their offensive line this offseason, the team may look for improvements on the interior. Jones still struggles against bull rushes but has proven to be a capable starting left tackle at the NFL level. Of course, if Amegadjie flashes on Monday night, that may lay the groundwork for an eventual change at the position.