Teven Jenkins has endured a rough start to his NFL career. After dealing with some back issues at the end of college, he decided to be cautious and declare for the draft early. He hoped that would give the issue time to settle down. It did for a while. However, another issue popped up once he joined the Chicago Bears. After weeks of doing everything possible to get the pain and tightness to subside, the inevitable conclusion was reached. He needed back surgery. Nobody understands what he is going through right now better than Chris Williams.
It was 13 years ago when the Bears drafted the talented left tackle out of Vanderbilt. At the time, he had no idea he had a looming back issue. Something that popped up during combine medical checks. Sure enough, a bulging disc grew aggravated by the time he got to minicamps that summer. He explained to Olin Kreutz and Jason McKie of The No Name Podcast what it was like coming to the realization he needed surgery and how the mindset of the media drastically shifted.
“They tried everything, you know. They tried the steroid path, They try everything and throw everything at it. Nothing happens and then it’s like all of sudden you got to have surgery. I didn’t even move out of my dorm room in Bourbonnais. Went to the city, had the surgery, and was back doing goal line and field goals and short-yardage stuff by the end of the season. But I wasn’t back feeling like myself for about a year.
It was difficult. It was a shock to my confidence. At that point, I didn’t even realize how vicious of a media market Chicago could be. I played at Vanderbilt. I’d never seen that kind of media coverage before. I went from ‘Oh, this guy’s going to be our next bookend tackle for 10 years’ to ‘Oh he’s damaged goods.'”
This is pretty much the identical reaction from many regarding Jenkins
Like Williams, there were medical red flags on him coming out of Oklahoma State. The Bears knew about them but were willing to take the risk on his talent. Things were fine right up until the start of training camp. After two weeks of seeking alternatives, he was forced to have the surgery. So what’s next? Williams provided some sensible advice for the rookie that boiled down to one thing. Do not let anybody rush you back until you’re sure you’re ready.
“At the end of the day, no film is better than bad film. If you feel great? If you come back in eight weeks feeling great looking like the Teven Jenkins that they drafted? Go out there and roll somebody. But if you’re going to go out there just to save face? That ain’t helping you none either. If you feel good? Do what you got to do. If you don’t? Don’t let them push you because that’s your own DNA you’re putting on tape…
…I don’t think there will be any risk of permanent damage but you could screw up his confidence you can go out there and put bad stuff on tape and mess him up.”
Williams really seemed to settle himself during the second half of the 2009 season. While he never became that bookend tackle the Bears were hoping for, he did end up playing six years in the NFL. He also didn’t have another back issue until 2014 in Buffalo. This offers hope that Jenkins will fully recover and be able to play at a high level in the future. It’s less a matter of health and more keeping his self-confidence.
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Chris Williams offers hope and caution to Jenkins
While the exact nature of the rookie’s back issue isn’t clear, most believe the surgery he received was likely a microdiscectomy. Similar to what Rob Gronkowski had back in 2016. If so, that means a recovery period of around three months. If things go well, there is a possibility that Jenkins could return to action by November. Some though don’t think that is likely. Knowing how this new regime operates, it’s quite possible his season is over.
From Chris Williams’ perspective? That might be for the best. While it is undoubtedly frustrating both for the player and the fans, this approach would be the way to ensure Jenkins is 100% healthy and ready to return. Both physically and mentally. The worst thing a player can do in the NFL is rush back from an injury. The kid doesn’t need to worry about that. He’s a 2nd round pick. The Bears obviously have big plans for him.
It will just have to wait a little longer than hoped.
Until then, the Bears have reshuffled the deck at tackle. Longtime veteran Jason Peters was signed last weekend. He and Larry Borom should hold down the left tackle spot. The hope is Germain Ifedi will return in time for Week 1 at right tackle. Either with Elijah Wilkinson or Lachavious Simmons backing him up. It’s not ideal, but it should suffice for this season.