Chicago Bears starting left tackle Braxton Jones sustained a fractured left ankle in Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Lions, NFL Network reported Monday.
Jones, 25, was injured midway through the second quarter of Chicago’s 34-17 setback.
His lower leg was placed in an air cast before he left the field on a cart.
Jones was surrounded by his teammates as he was loaded into a cart. He gave a thumbs-up as he was driven off the field, and the Soldier Field crowd cheered.
He will have more tests but the initial diagnosis is a broken fibula.
He faces a recovery period of at least four months and will therefore miss the rest of the NFL season.
Chicago Bears starting left tackle Braxton Jones sustained a fractured left ankle on Sunday
Jones, 25, was injured midway through the second quarter of Chicago’s 34-17 setback
Jones has started all 40 of the games he has played since Chicago picked him in the fifth round of the NFL draft in 2022, including 12 starts this season.
Larry Borom replaced Jones and will be the likely starter when the Bears (4-11) host the Seattle Seahawks (8-7) on Thursday night.
It was another tough moment for Chicago’s offensive line – and the rest of the Bears.
The protection for Caleb Williams took a big hit when Jones and Teven Jenkins departed in the first half of Sunday’s 34-17 loss.
The rookie quarterback still managed to throw for 334 yards and two touchdowns, but he was sacked twice as he tried to rally Chicago in the second half.
Jenkins and Jones were questionable going into the matchup with the NFC North leaders.
Jenkins had a calf injury and Jones missed Monday night´s 30-12 loss at Minnesota because of a concussion.
