The Bears offensive line is progressing back toward full strength as Sunday's matchup with the Packers at Soldier Field approaches.
Starting tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright were back at practice Wednesday in a limited capacity. Jones has missed the past two contests after injuring his knee against the Commanders Oct. 27 and expressed how difficult it's been having to watch games from the sidelines.
"Feeling pretty good," Jones told reporters Wednesday. "Rejuvenated. Feeling healthy, so just ready to be out there at practice and see how it goes. But, feeling pretty good. … It's tough to sit out any week. Been playing this game for years now and I want to play every week and be able to help my team in any way I can."
Wright injured his knee against the Cardinals Nov. 3 and also missed last Sunday's game against the Patriots.
"It's good getting back into it," Wright added. "It feels good. My high school coach always said, 'you can't make the club in the tub,' so happy to try and get back out there."
While Wright is eager to be back in the lineup this Sunday, he applauded reserves Matt Pryor, Larry Borom and Jake Curhan for being the next men up at multiple positions the past couple of weeks.
"They did a great job stepping up," Wright said. "You think about a guy like Matt. He's played mostly guard the whole year and then stepping up at tackle when I went down — big ups to him. Larry, he had the injury earlier in the year and he's just now getting back into the swing of things. Him stepping up right there is big. Jake stepping in too — everybody's gotta step up and play when your number is called."
Having the unit close to full strength will not only allow for more continuity within the offense but also, according to Wright, boost the room's confidence in "handling our part of it as an O-line."
While guard Teven Jenkins — who injured his ankle last Sunday — did not practice Wednesday, the return of Jones and Wright would provide stability up front as the Bears prepare for their first division game of the season against their fierce rival.
"It's gonna be nice going back out there, obviously against a great division team," Jones said. "Been seeing them for the past three years. Obviously, it's gonna be a tough one. We've got them at home ... I'm excited. It's like a breath of fresh air and just be able to go out there and play — let it loose and let it rip."
More injury news: Coach Matt Eberflus provided some additional injury updates during his visit with reporters Wednesday, first noting that Jaquan Brisker remains in concussion protocol and will not play against Green Bay, which will be the safety's fifth consecutive game missed.
Elsewhere on the offensive line, rookie backup tackle Kiran Amegadjie (calf) remains out of practice. On the defensive line, Pro Bowl pass rusher Montez Sweat (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, but Darrell Taylor (knee) — who missed last Sunday's game — participated in a limited capacity.
Roster moves: Eberflus also announced that the Bears signed Curhan to the active roster from the practice squad and signed offensive lineman Ricky Stromberg to the practice squad.
Curhan — a four-year pro — has appeared in the past two games for the Bears after spending the first eight weeks on the practice squad. Stromberg, who is in his second NFL season, played in four games for the Commanders in 2023.
