Bears LT Braxton Jones Done for the Season After Undergoing Knee Surgery

The Chicago Bears have one less option at left tackle for the remainder of the 2026 NFL season. 

According to the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs, Jones underwent surgery on his right knee on Tuesday and "won't be an option to return from injured reserve this season."

Bears head coach Ben Johnson confirmed during his Wednesday press conference that Jones is done for the year.

Jones started as the team's opening day left tackle, but he played in just three games before he was sidelined with a knee injury in the win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Jones, 27, played just 144 offensive snaps this season. 

The former fifth-round draft pick from Southern Utah was looking to capitalize this year, especially since his 2025 season was cut short with a season-ending knee injury that he sustained in Week 7. 

According to Biggs, Jones partially tore his patellar tendon, "and the plan was for him to rehabilitate the injury before determining if it was feasible for him to return this season and delay surgery."

Biggs did also indicate that since Jones only sustained a partial tear, he should be on track to participate in football activities by late spring. Fellow offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo ruptured his patellar tendon (a more serious injury) on Jan. 10 in the wild-card win over the Green Bay Packers. He rehabbed from that significant injury and was activated off the physically unable to perform list on Aug. 16. 

Jones signed a one-year contract this offseason, so there is no guarantee that he will be back on the Bears even if he makes a full recovery. 

Theo Benedet has been the team's starting left tackle for the last five games. The undrafted free agent from the University of British Columbia has given up just one sack and 16 quarterback pressures in 214 offensive snaps. Against the Seattle Seahawks in the 34-17 win on Monday Night Football, Benedet allowed just three total quarterback pressures in 71 offensive snaps. 

After the game, I noticed Benedet left the locker room with a Bears staff member before reporters were allowed in. When he did return, he sat at his locker and looked disappointed. As I was about to start recording an interview, I heard Benedet say, "separated shoulder." 

Benedet was also briefly on camera during a postgame interview on Marquee Sports Network. If you look closely, he has his right shoulder taped. 

Head coach Ben Johnson is scheduled to speak to the media at Halas Hall on Wednesday afternoon, which could provide more clarification on Benedet's status.

Trapilo would be next in line at left tackle if Benedet has to miss any time. After playing 17 offensive snaps against the Atlanta Falcons and 19 against the New England Patriots, Trapilo only saw six snaps on special teams against Seattle. 

When the Bears were in a pinch at left tackle last season, they moved All-Pro Joe Thuney to the position in the Divisional Round against the Los Angeles Rams. How Chicago chooses to protect Caleb Williams' blindside remains one of the top storylines as the 2026 season unfolds.