LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Everyone involved with the Chicago Bears could breathe a sigh of relief on Wednesday when starting right tackle Darnell Wright returned to practice after exiting Tuesday with a trainer.A second-team All-Pro selection last season, Wright signed a four-year, $116 million contract extension earlier this month, making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid tackles. He wears a brace on his right arm after playing through a torn UCL last season. During a team drill in Tuesday’s padded practice, trainers removed the brace and examined his right elbow. He walked off the field with head trainer Andre Tucker and did not return.But Wednesday, at the team’s final practice of training camp — a light, non-padded session before heading to Tennessee — No. 58 Wright was back in action, with a brace on his arm.Bears still looking for starters at left tackle, safetyDan Wiederer and Kevin FishbainWright has had an outstanding camp coming off his best season. The Bears still don’t have clarity on the left side of their line, and certainly didn’t want to add the right side to their list of concerns.Head coach Ben Johnson spoke before Tuesday’s practice. He’ll address reporters Thursday morning in Nashville ahead of a joint practice with the Titans.Wright’s ascent has impressed his teammates, as he has always had the skill set and finally put it all together last year.“He’s one of the freakiest athletes I’ve ever seen,” tight end Cole Kmet said Tuesday. “ … His communication has gone up tenfold since I’ve been with him his rookie year. I think it just comes from the certainty now that he has played the position, understanding the run plays, where we’re trying to hit ’em and things like that.“ … I feel really good when I’m on the right side playing with him because you have a good feeling of knowing he understands what’s going on and really helps me do my job at a faster rate as well.”Joining Wright on the practice field Wednesday was wide receiver Luther Burden III, who participated for the first time since injuring his groin nearly three weeks ago. He was expected to miss the whole preseason, and he still likely will, as he only did individual drills 24 hours before a joint practice in Nashville.Burden, who was living up to the hype early in camp before his injury, is on track to be available for the Bears’ opener.Cornerback Jaylon Jones, who had been the starting nickel at the beginning of camp, also returned to practice after missing several weeks. Rookie linebacker Keyshaun Elliott and safety Elijah Hicks practiced for the first time this summer. They had opened camp on the physically unable to perform list. As is customary for coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense, the two did their 40 “up-downs” before practicing.Hicks might have been in line to start at safety next to Dillon Thieneman after Coby Bryant’s injury, but after missing so much time with his shin injury, he doesn’t have much time to supplant either Cam Lewis or Xavier Woods, though Johnson has said that job is still open.Elliott, a fifth-round draft pick, also missed time in the spring. The linebacker room is thin — Ruben Hyppolite was not present Wednesday. We’ll see how quickly he can get involved both on defense and special teams.“One thing about that kid is he’s dialed in,” special teams coordinator Richard Hightower said. “Like, although he hasn’t been on the field, he hasn’t missed a beat in the meeting room and he comes up for extra meeting time. He’s like a machine. Like, he’s in there, coach — I’m in there at six o’clock every other morning. I’m in there at six o’clock. You’re gonna be there? ‘I’m gonna be there.’”The defensive line, however, was missing two key players on Wednesday. Defensive end Austin Booker, who has lined up opposite Montez Sweat most of the summer, has been absent from both practices since Saturday’s preseason game. Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter left Tuesday’s practice with a trainer with an undisclosed injury.
Chicago Bears get encouraging injury news on Darnell Wright, Luther Burden III
The Bears offense appears to have dodged a serious blow as its starting right tackle returned to practice on Wednesday.








