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          Bears center Lucas Patrick suffers hand injury, 'no timetable' on his return

          Bears center Lucas Patrick will miss time with an injured right hand, and there is no timetable for his return. Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire
          • Courtney Cronin, ESPN Staff WriterJul 29, 2022, 08:52 PM
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              Courtney Cronin joined ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings before switching to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is a frequent panelist on Around the Horn and host of Best Week Ever on ESPN Radio. She also co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News as a multimedia sports journalist.

          LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Chicago Bears will be without starting center Lucas Patrick indefinitely after the 28-year-old injured his right hand Thursday during practice.

          “The reason I'm giving that out is he is going to be out for a little bit of time, so it's not just a soft tissue injury or something where he might be out a couple days,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said Friday. "There is no timetable on the return."

          Sixth-round rookie Doug Kramer filled in for Patrick on Thursday, and he split center reps with backup offensive lineman Sam Mustipher on Friday.

          “Both those guys have done a good job with that,” Eberflus said. “It’s great competition in there. Dieter [Eiselen has] played a little bit at center. I think it’s good for those guys.”

          Patrick was one of Chicago’s main additions in free agency after playing five seasons in Green Bay. He signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Bears with the expectation of starting at center, though he also has experience playing guard.

          Chicago was also without second-year offensive tackle Teven Jenkins during the Friday practice. Jenkins is “working through something with the trainers,” according to Eberflus, who designated the former second-round pick as “day to day.”

          Jenkins underwent back surgery last August and was limited to 157 snaps at left tackle as a rookie. The Bears’ previous regime drafted the former Oklahoma State player with the belief he could develop into a franchise left tackle.

          Jenkins has not taken reps with the first-team offensive line since early spring workouts. He was replaced at left tackle by rookie Braxton Jones in May and spent much of OTAs and minicamp at right tackle with the second unit.