Playing two snaps on the field goal team doesn't seem like a triumphant return. But it meant the world to Bears rookie tackle Teven Jenkins.
The second-round draft pick's two snaps last Sunday against the Cardinals were his first in a football game in more than a year—since Nov. 21, 2020 when he played for Oklahoma State.
Jenkins had been on injured reserve since the start of the regular season after undergoing back surgery in mid-August. The 6-6, 321-pounder was activated from IR last Saturday and made his NFL debut the next day.
"It was really great for me to be out there fully suited up," Jenkins said Wednesday. "I got, like, two snaps on field goals, so that's great progression from where it was a couple months ago, and I'm very glad where I'm at."
Barring an injury to veteran left tackle Jason Peters, it doesn't appear that the Bears have any immediate plans to give Jenkins expanded playing time on offense. But that's OK with the rookie, who feels fortunate that he's able to learn from a nine-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL All-Decade Team for the 2010s.
"For me, it's all about trusting the process," Jenkins said. "[Peters] is a Hall of Famer. He's greatness. So, I have no problem sitting behind Jason Peters right now and learning, because I trust what the Bears have in store for me and I trust what coach [Juan] Castillo has for me and coach [Matt] Nagy. I trust all of them, and I believe it's the right path for me."
Welcome back: Receiver Allen Robinson II (hamstring) and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (ankle) both returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday for the first time since sustaining injuries Nov. 8 against the Steelers.
Other Bears who were limited included running back Damien Williams (calf), receiver Marquise Goodwin (foot), defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (ribs) and linebacker Christian Jones (back).
Players who sat out practice Wednesday included quarterback Andy Dalton (left hand), running back David Montgomery (shoulder/groin/glute), outside linebacker Trevis Gipson (illness) and kicker Cairo Santos (illness).
Productive day: After a review by the NFL, Bears outside linebacker Robert Quinn on Wednesday was credited with a sack on Arizona's first play from scrimmage in last Sunday's game at Soldier Field.
Quarterback Kyler Murray fumbled a shotgun snap, recovered the ball and dove forward before Quinn contacted him. It was originally ruled a "team" sack, but Quinn was given credit because Murray attempted to advance the ball and was stopped by Quinn.
With the scoring adjustment, Quinn now has a team-leading 12.0 sacks this season, tied for the fourth most in the NFL. It's also the second highest total of his 12-year career behind only the 19.0 he recorded in 2013 with the Rams, when he was named first-team All-Pro and voted to the Pro Bowl.
Becoming a Husker: Assistant offensive line coach Donovan Raiola is leaving the Bears to become offensive line coach at Nebraska under coach Scott Frost.
"We're excited about the opportunity that he's going to get at Nebraska with coach Frost," Nagy said. "When you have a guy that works as hard as these coaches do, and guys put in a lot of hours and time of doing some of the dirty work and then you get rewarded with a great opportunity like this, it was pretty neat being able to go through that process with Donny. He's worked hard for that. We're really happy for him."
The Bears hit the practice fields on a chilly Wednesday at Halas Hall to continue preparing for Sunday's primetime matchup with the Packers.