Chicago's highest-paid lineman reveals the grit behind his ironman reputation, detailing how he overcomes significant pain and past tears to remain a dominant force on the field.
The Chicago Bears had an injury scare from starting right tackle Darnell Wright this week.
Wright showed up on the injury report this week with a knee injury. Wright just signed a massive extension in the offseason, making him the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL.
Wright is now on a four-year, $116 million extension per Spotrac.
Losing your starting right tackle for the season opener would be critical. Luckily, Wright was only out of practice on Wednesday. He was limited on Thursday and upgraded to a full participant on Friday.
In the final injury report, he didn't have an injury designation.
Wright spoke with ESPN's Courtney Cronin about his injury history. Wright has been known to play through injury in the past. He actually played through a UCL tear for most of last season.
He only missed one game and didn't let the injury hold him back.
Wright said that as long as he doesn't feel he'll be detrimental to the team, he will be on the field. Picking up bumps or bruises along the way is just a part of football.
Wright knows that better than anyone.
"Everybody has bumps and bruises around here, so if it's good to go, if I think I'm going to be a detriment to the team, obviously I don't just want to try to be a hard ass and play, but if I feel like I can, I always feel like I can help the team, obviously, playing, but if it's something that's going to just be a liability, there's no reason," Wright said.
The tackle was drafted by the Bears in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. Since then, he has been one of the most consistent offensive linemen the Bears have had in recent years.
He has missed only two games in the four years he's been with the Bears, which says everything you need to know. Even though it wasn't an injury, he battled back from the flu late in the 2025 season.
The Bears were traveling to Levi's Stadium to face the San Francisco 49ers, but Wright had to stay back for a couple of days. He was eventually able to travel to join the team and contribute, though he arrived later than his teammates.
Wright knows that he is an important member of this team and will do whatever it takes to be on the field as much as possible.
Last season, Wright finally got some help on the offensive line. The Bears brought in Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman in the offseason.
The Bears went from allowing the most sacks in the NFL in 2024 to the third-fewest in 2025 (24).
Wright had his best season yet in 2025. He was a Second-Team All-Pro for the first time in his NFL career.
Making yourself available is one of the best attributes an NFL offensive lineman can have. Wright embodies that, and it's why he is one of the best players at his position.
It's no wonder the Bears have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL with Wright on it.
