The Chicago Bears were back for the fifth practice of training camp on Monday, which marked the first padded workout of the summer.
The first padded session was overshadowed by safety Coby Bryant's apparent left leg injury during 1-on-1 drills. Bryant was carted off, after trying to walk off on his own power, and was visibly emotional after suffering the injury. Elsewhere, quarterback Caleb Williams once again shined, receiver Luther Burden III is making the case for WR1 and there were some notable updates on position battles. There was also both good and bad injury news.
Here's what we learned from the first padded practice of training camp:
Coby Bryant suffers apparent leg injury
The biggest headline of the day happened roughly four plays into 1-on-1 drills when safety Coby Bryant
suffered an apparent left leg injury. Bryant was covering tight end Cole Kmet when he landed awkwardly. According to CHGO's Adam Hoge, Bryant was "clearly emotional" as he slammed his helmet down as he got on the cart under his own power. As Hoge noted, carts aren't unusual on the practice field, but Bryant's reaction wasn't encouraging. Braggs added that "a few players came over to give Coby a few words. He had his face tucked in his jersey as they talked to him" but he just rode off on the cart. The hope is it's nothing serious, because losing Bryant would be a devastating blow to the defense. After practice, tight end Colston Loveland shared there's "no update" but he's optimistic about Bryant. "Always sucks to see, it's part of it. But he's tough, he's a dog. He's gonna be fine. We're not worried about it, but I don't know. Leave that to coach Johnson."
Secondary depth being tested early
New summer, more of the same with injuries impacting the secondary. We're just five practices into training camp, but the Bears' secondary depth is already being tested. Bryant suffered an apparent left leg injury on Monday, and the severity is unknown. If he misses any significant time, Chicago could be in trouble. Outside of Bryant's injury, nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon has been nursing another soft tissue injury, and he's been on the physically unable to perform list for the first five practices. With no timetable in sight for Gordon, it's been Cam Lewis and Jaylon Jones rotating at nickel with the starters. But with Bryant sidelined, it was Lewis slotting into the starting role opposite rookie Dillon Thieneman, pushing Jones back into the starting slot role. Safety Elijah Hicks is already on the physically unable to perform list, and cornerback Terell Smith exited Monday's practice. Not an encouraging start for the secondary.
Kyle Monangai returns to practice
Before the scary situation with Coby Bryant's injury, there was encouraging news to start off Monday's practice. After missing the last three practices with a soft tissue injury, Kyle Monangai was spotted in full pads running through drills with the other running backs. Before that, head coach Ben Johnson had said Monangai was dealing with a soft tissue issue and was considered "day-to-day," but he did indicate "it should be on the shorter side." But it sounds like Monangai is ramping up before returning to full strength.
Kyle Monangai getting back into the groove as he returns from a three-practice absence. pic.twitter.com/0nFLxMSEMv
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) August 3, 2026
Luther Burden front runner to be WR1
There has been no shortage of offensive highlights through these first five practices of training camp, where all of the Bears' top passing weapons have shined, including receivers Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Kalif Raymond, as well as tight end Colston Loveland. But Bear Report had an impactful statement, noting "the Luther Burden hype is real," adding that "he had a few tough catches down the sideline today and is the clear frontrunner to be WR1." With DJ Moore departing this offseason, the expectation is that Odunze would step into role. And while he's been impressing this offseason, Burden will likely make it competitive as he continues to shine.
Braxton Jones with starters on first day of pads
The rotation at left tackle continued on Monday, where it was frontrunner Braxton Jones getting the first work in pads, per Chris Emma. It's unsure whether that's more telling of Jones' stance in the competition as the projected winner or whether it was just his turn with the starters after both Kiran Amegadjie and Jedrick Wills Jr. had their turn on Friday and Saturday, respectively. We'll see if it's more of the same with the rotation on Tuesday, when the pads are back on. If that's the case, it would be Amegadjie before Wills gets his shot on Wednesday. It's worth noting that Theo Benedet, who was expected to factor into the competition, has yet to rotate in with the starters at left tackle but has been working at right tackle with the second-team offense.
Sam Roush involved in passing game
The Bears have one of the best tight end rooms in the NFL, and while we've heard plenty about Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, rookie Sam Roush has quietly been having a solid start to training camp. On Monday, Bear Report shared that "Sam Roush will play a much bigger factor as a pass catcher than originally expected," an indication that he shined in that department on Monday and earlier in camp.
Ryan Poles keeping an eye on defensive line
The defensive line has been one of the biggest points of contention for the Bears this offseason, especially after they failed to make a significant move to address the position. According to Bear Report, Poles spent a lot of time watching the defensive line during Monday's padded practice. Chicago is banking on their current roster to deliver, namely defensive tackles Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter, as well as defensive ends Montez Sweat, Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo. After struggling against the run and rushing the quarterback last season, the defensive line needs to step it up this season.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 7 takeaways from first padded practice of Chicago Bears training camp
